Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) MDC-T phone service cut off over unpaid bill

MDC-T phone service cut off over unpaid bill
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:17:00 +0000

TEL-One last week cut services to MDC-T's Manicaland provincial offices in Darlington medium-density suburb of Mutare over an unpaid bill, which is almost US$10,000, as accusations of financial embezzlement and corruption continue to swell in the party's Manicaland executive.

Party supporters said it was high-time the party's national executive sent auditors to check the party's books at the Darlington offices.

They said the unpaid bill was a result of the many financial mishaps happening at the provincial offices, alleging that some people were pocketing party funds for their own use.

When asked for a comment, the party's provincial spokesman, Pishai Muchauraya, said the party had since purchased contract mobile lines for its workers, hence the land line was unnecessary.

“What is US$10 000? That's little money and we shall pay it. Our workers at the office are now using contract mobile lines and anyone who wants to phone the offices knows the numbers," he said.

Inside party sources said some heavyweights in the provincial executive were diverting party funds for their own use hence the financial discrepancies that were resulting in crucial services like telephones being cut due to unpaid bills.

“There are people who are stealing money. For as long as the people from Harare do not take action about what is happening here, the party will bleed to death,” said the source.

Corruption has since reared its ugly head within the MDC-T, with most local authorities under the MDC-T leadership making the headlines for fraud.

The corruption tide within the opposition party has also swept across the borders with oversees offices of the party in the UK facing a £57,000 corruption probe.

The party's treasure general, Roy Bennet, revealed recently that the British Branch — second only to the South Africa office of the party in importance — had been suspended in the wake of what he described as a problem the party faced "everywhere".

Ambassador-designate for Germany Hebson Makuvise is implicated in the corruption.

Bennett said although a formal instruction had yet to be given, all other overseas branches would be disbanded.

He said the party's branches across the world faced rogue elements.

“They are bleeding us. I would hate to know the amount of money that has been raised by Zimbabweans in exile purporting to represent the MDC. They have used the MDC name and pocketed the money,” he was recently quoted as saying.

The MDC-T secretary-general and Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, also described the unfolding corruption charges as “shocking” financial irregularities.

Labels: MDC CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 3:54 PM