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Blessings Chidakwa Municipality Correspondent
The MDC-led Chitungwiza Municipality’s corruption and failure to offer basic service delivery has irked MDC-T vice president Obert Gutu, who yesterday blasted the council for having misplaced priorities.

Mr Gutu’s sentiments come at a time the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) said it has set sights on cleansing local authorities of corrupt officials, with Chitungwiza among those topping the investigations list.

Chitungwiza residents also recently raised concern over corruption allegations levelled against the mayor, Lovemore Maiko, a councillor and senior manager, with calls growing louder for a forensic audit to be conducted.

Maiko, Ward 2 councillor Kudakwashe John and works director David Duma and director of housing Hazel Sithole were recently arrested on allegations of abuse of office.

They allegedly facilitated the corrupt sale of commercial stands.

Mr Gutu expressed his displeasure through social media.

“Disaster is looming in Chitungwiza.

“Chitungwiza Town Council is a haven of ineptitude, inefficiency, indolence, corruption and greed.

“Water is a rarity and heaps of uncollected garbage are now the norm.

“Wetlands have also been parcelled out for residential stands. Chitungwiza is DEAD

“Unit ‘O’ in Seke, Chitungwiza, looks desolate and run-down. No water. No roads. No garbage collection.

“It’s a mess. Chitungwiza Town Council is rotten. Chitungwiza is DEAD,” he said at his Twitter account @GutuObert.

Chitungwiza councillor for Ward 13 Kiven Mutimbanyoka (Zanu-PF) has urged Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo to suspend all the town’s councillors, citing poor service delivery.

Cllr Mutimbanyoka told The Herald there was an urgent need for Government’s intervention.

He also said a commission should be appointed to run the affairs of the   council while investigations were being undertaken.