He was addressing journalists during a press conference in Harare on Friday.
This comes after revelations of corrupt activities at CVEMD offset by a case whereby a car sales dealer was offered a fake licence by officials in the division, after paying $3,000 and blew the whistle.
“All operations in this division have been suspended with immediate effect to pave way for thorough investigations and we urge customers and residents of the city to bear with us whilst we clear these inconsistencies.” he said.
“We also request all car sales operators who have given money or other gifts to any Council officials to come forward and assist with investigations,” added Gwindi.
Gwindi said since 2010, over 200 illegal car sales could have been issued with fake leases.
“In the last two years we have witnessed a sharp increase in illegal car sales with over 200 dealers being reported to be operating at undesignated places. Most car sales have false documents from the division where at least some officials were getting bribes of $3000 for corrupt transactions,” added Gwindi.
He said HCC would leave no stone unturned in its investigations, while the ongoing blitz on illegal operators will last up to 31 January 2013.
Gwindi said that Council was informed that some municipality police officers who were carrying out the blitz on the illegal operators were receiving bribes, adding that the by-law enforcers tipped off illegal car operators ahead of raids.
Speaking during the conference, acting City Treasury, Stanley Ndemera, whose department overseers the City Valuer and Estates Management Division said: “The 27 suspended workers have been sent home without benefits.”
“In the coming week or so we will replace them so that we do not inconvenience our customers,” added Ndemera.
Ndemera said annual Council revenue from all municipality departments was below 60 percent.
Post published in: News