Bikita council CEO arrested over purchase of six luxury vehicles worth US$222K

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has announced that is has arrested Bikita Rural District Council chief executive officer Peter Chibi on allegations of purchasing six Toyota GD6 vehicles worth over US$222 000 for council executives using council loans without the required Government approval.

In a statement, ZACC said they had arrested Chibi for “contravening Section 91 (3) of the Public Finance Management Act.”

“The accused, without Ministerial approval in the exercise of his function, entered into a contract with African Century Limited which bound the council to future financial commitment.

“The company paid US$191 000 plus interest of US$30 900 for six Toyota GD6 single cab vehicles. The vehicles in question were purchased with council loans but registered in the names of six council executives,” reads the statement.

Chibi appeared at the Masvingo Magistrates Court yesterday for initial remand. 

The latest development will infuriate many given the council last year in October terminated the contracts of 25 long serving workers under the justification that the local authority was facing a financial crisis.

The terminations came soon after the Toyota GD6 vehicles for the top managers had been delivered.