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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
BUBI Rural District Council has failed to account for about 9 000 litres of diesel worth nearly $10 000 allocated to it by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration for road maintenance.

The latest report by the Auditor General shows that the local authority failed to justify how the fuel worth $9 600 was used.

Presenting her findings for the financial year ending December 2015 for Bubi RDC, Mrs Mildred Chiri noted a number of irregularities among them purchase of expensive cellphones without approval by the Ministry.

“The Council was given 9 000 litres of diesel fuel by Zinara with an estimated value of $9 600 for road maintenance. However, upon enquiry on how fuel had been disbursed and utilised no satisfactory explanation or information was provided. The value of the fuel was not incorporated in the financial statements,” said the Auditor General.

Mrs Chiri said as a result, there was risk of financial loss or fraud.

She recommended that council should craft a policy to ensure transparency prevails towards the good use of grants and donations.

The Auditor General said the local authority also flouted regulations by buying cellphones for councillors at inflated prices without approval from the parent ministry.

“I observed that council bought cellphones for its councillors basing on full council resolution FC 1757 OF 2014 without seeking approval from the parent Ministry. Full council resolutions 1757 stipulated that all councillors and officers should be bought cellphones for an amount not exceeding $70 and $500 respectively.

However, the officers opted to buy cellphones which were above the approved amounts,” said Mrs Chiri in the report.

According to the report, council bought 22 Huawei Y220 handsets at $90; three Samsung Tab 1.0 at a price of $580 each; one Samsung S4 for $650 and a Samsung Galaxy S5 for $788.

Council also bought an Apple Air Wi-Fi for $799 as well as another Samsung Galaxy S4 for $500.

The AG said there was possible conflict of interest after councillors approved their own benefits.

“Council should regularise this issue and in future seek approval from the parent ministry when transactions involve them,” said the AG.

She also noted that council was failing to keep a record of staff advances risking failure to recover funds if the records are not maintained.

Mrs Chiri said statutory deductions were not being remitted on time. As at December 31, 2015, council owed Zimra PAYE amounting to $79 000, NSSA contributions of $14 000 and NEC $9 000.

She said this would result in financial loss in interests and penalties.

@AuxiliaK