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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Business came to a standstill at Chiredzi Town Council last week after the Sheriff of the High Court attached refuse trucks, vehicles and all office furniture to recover $120 000 owed to Concord Construction Company.

The debt, which was incurred after the contractor took part in the servicing of Chiredzi’s new town site in 2012, spilled into the courts and a default judgement was passed against the council.

Council employees were seen collecting important documents from their offices placing them in their personal cars after a team lead by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court for Masvingo province Michelle Seizer Shungu took them by surprise.

The council officials tried to negotiate a payment plan, but Ms Shungu attached 12 top-of-the-range management vehicles, a refuse truck and all office equipment.

Chiredzi town council chairman Councillor Francis Moyo said Concord Constriction was awarded the contract during the tenure of the then MDC-T led council and proper tender procedures were not followed.

“We had an out of court settlement agreement with the company,” he said. “Since our election, we had a lot of questions concerning the manner in which the then MDC-T led council was operating.

“They contracted Concord to undertake drainage and sewerage systems at our new town site, but if you visit the place nothing has been done and we are shocked by the company’s decisions to take us to court.”

Clr Moyo blamed the council management for failing to respond to summons which they were saved in May this year.

Chiredzi Town Council owes its workers, service providers and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority over $1,5 million.

The town council is in turn owed almost $3 million in unpaid rates.