Nkosentsha Khumalo
Bulawayo’s Deputy Mayor and Ward 8 Councillor, Edwin Ndlovu and Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who is also the Chairperson of the City Council’s Finance and Development Committee have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on bribery charges involving an amount of US$20,000.
Ndlovu, who landed his position thanks to the Machiavellian maneuvers of self imposed interim Secretary General of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC’s) Sengezo Tshabangu, and Mpumelelo Moyo, allegedly demanded a bribe from Chinese investors, Labenmon Investments in exchange for greasing the wheels of approval for a cement mixing plant in the City.
This whole scandal unfolded when Tsitsi Mapfumo of Labenmon Investments initially knocked on the City Council’s doors back in November 2023, seeking for 10 hectares for their proposed cement mixing plant. But however, like a rock in the mud, the application stubbornly refused to budge, and it was rejected.
Labenmon Investments which remained undettered, came back for another round in April 2024, but this time they scaled back their ambitions and settled for 5.6 hectares of the same land, which was the only offer.
The plot thickened when Ndlovu and Moyo, who were seemingly unwilling to miss out on a piece of the pie, approached Mapfumo privately with a proposition to fork out US$20,000 in cold, hard cash and for the Chinese investors’ application to sail through the Council like butter on toast.
They claimed to be acting on behalf of 20 other councillors, and that is when their actions suggested that a network of bribery and corruption is at play within the City Council.
The matter was reported to ZACC on Thursday night after the two Councillors received trap money from Tsitsi Mapfumo, which led to their arrest.
Currently, the pair is being detained at the Mzilikazi Police Station, awaiting their court appearance at the Bulawayo’s Tredgold Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.
This tabloid has learnt that the application for land was submitted at around the time Ndlovu was elected as the Bulawayo City Council Deputy Mayor.
This happened after the recall of Donaldson Mabutho and other councillors by Tshabangu, who had assumed control of the opposition CCC party.
In the wake of the political upheaval caused by Tshabangu’s recalls, the Bulawayo City Council held a special meeting to elect a new deputy mayor.
Amidst the chaos, Ndlovu saw an opportunity and threw his hat in the ring, running against Councillors Mxolisi Mahlangu for Ward 3, Khumalo, and Mellisa Mabeza.
In a race as tense as a tightrope walker balancing on a wire, Ndlovu emerged victorious, securing the coveted position.
Despite these initial positive projections, the approval of Labenmon Private Limited’s investment proposal was soon overshadowed by allegations of bribery, leading to the arrest of Councillor Moyo and Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu.
These charges have since cast doubt on the integrity of the approval process and the motivations behind the decision making within the council.
It remains to be seen how this scandal will impact future investment prospects in Bulawayo, as well as the City’s relationship with foreign investors.
The outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings involving the accused Councilors will likely provide further clarity on the extent of corruption in the City’s governance structures.
Labenmon Private Limited had seemingly struck gold as their proposal to set up a cement grinding company near the United College of Education (UCE) was approved by the Bulawayo City Council.
The City was abuzz with excitement, as it was expected that this move would create more than 500 jobs for locals and churn out a massive 900,000 tonnes of cement per annum.
The decision was made in a full Council meeting after Ward 26 councillor Mpumelelo Moyo’s Finance and Development Committee had given the green light in a prior meeting.
Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, prior to his arrest, was highly enthusiastic about the investment deal with the Chinese company Labenmon (Private) Limited.
In a previous interview, he expressed his support for the project and its potential benefits for the city and the country as a whole, including job creation and regional trade opportunities.
He had further highlighted the commitment to prioritize local residents for employment and the positive impact of this project on President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” policy and the country’s goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
However, as they say “Never judge a book by it’s Cover”.
The Deputy Mayor Ndlovu, his wealth and recent business ventures have come under scrutiny.
The Deputy Mayor’s sudden success with his Gracious Driving School, which some allege was funded through corrupt means, has raised eyebrows among residents.
Ndlovu has not been shy in flaunting his wealth on social media, posting videos showcasing his extensive livestock, including goats and cattle. These flashy displays have fueled speculation that he may be profiting from illicit activities.
Ndlovu’s social media pages are not only adorned with his livestock collection, but also with his seemingly expansive fleet of cars under the Gracious Driving School brand.
The source of funding for these assets has become a hot topic among residents, many of whom are skeptical that the Deputy Mayor’s new-found wealth was acquired through honest means.
This growing distrust is indicative of a wider pattern of public scrutiny towards public officials and the need for transparency in government dealings.
Bulawayo Mayor, Senator David Coltart has responded to this humiliation from the councillors by saying,
“This morning I was advised that the Deputy Mayor of @CityofBulawayo Clr Edwin Ndlovu and the Chairperson of the BCC Finance Committee Clr Mpumelelo Moyo were arrested last night on allegations of corruption.”
“I was not aware of these allegations prior to the Town Clerk briefing me this morning. I await further information but the law must take its course.”
“I call for a thorough and fair investigation of these allegations. From the outset of my term as Mayor I have stated that we must adopt a zero tolerance policy towards corruption. But allegations such as these must be investigated and tried through a fair, independent and professional judiciary.”
Some social media users reacted by saying,
“You see, kancane kancane, people of Mashonaland are teaching us things..”
User Chris_cd_ @Chris_cd_said,
_These are internal ZANU PF and ZANU PF-Tshabangu matters. Let them finish each other using state institutions
Njabulo02 @okaNjabz.
Instead of fixing the TTi mess bona they are lining up their pockets. Kabahambe. ZACC should go after some in the management and former councillors who are/were engaged in illicit deals
Isibaya Esikhulu @emmandson….
This is because Deputy Mayor was fighting hard to remove Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is compromised in many council deals including TTI. This is a challenge to our city
Maybe ZACC should investigate how the TTI deal came into being in the first place.
This may open up a whole lot of cupboards with skeletons at the Bulawayo City Hall.
Zim GBC News ©2024