An internal audit has revealed massive fuel theft and mismanagement at Chitungwiza Municipality, Zimbabwe’s third-largest urban council, according to a report by Bulawayo News.
The report stated that more than 92,000 litres of diesel worth about US$138,500 could not be accounted for over six months.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe audit, which covered January to July 2025, concluded that weak controls, deliberate record manipulation, and poor coordination between departments created fertile ground for fraud.
One of the clearest cases involved a council driver, identified as A. Mawire, who allegedly siphoned 2,660 litres of diesel valued at nearly US$4,000 by tampering with official coupons.
Auditors said he admitted the irregularities during interviews but refused to give a written statement.
Another official, M. Matsikidze, claimed 180 litres of fuel for a generator at St Mary’s Clinic, which auditors confirmed was not working. Matsikidze later argued the diesel had been diverted to the head office generator, but no supporting evidence was provided.
The report also noted that the bulk meter at the municipal fuel station was broken, forcing reliance on inaccurate manual dipping, while the manhole of the main storage tank was left unsecured. These loopholes, auditors warned, exposed council fuel supplies to theft.
Governance failures were highlighted too. The Engineering Department, which manages the municipal fleet, was not coordinating with the Finance Department, which oversees fuel purchases. This disconnect allowed fuel allocations to be made to vehicles and equipment that were no longer functional.
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Residents say the scandal has worsened already poor service delivery. “We are constantly told there is no fuel for refuse trucks or ambulances, but thousands of litres are being looted,” said a resident of Zengeza. Garbage collection has slowed and local clinics remain overstretched.
Senior finance officials did not contest the audit findings and pledged reforms. Auditors have recommended immediate measures, including repairing the bulk meter, recalibrating tanks, securing the storage manhole, reshuffling staff at the depot, and fitting all council vehicles with electronic fuel-monitoring systems.
Municipal spokesperson Tafadzwa Kachiko confirmed that several officials have been suspended to allow for a full investigation. “Council is determined to ensure that any individual found guilty of fraud or misconduct faces the full consequences, in line with labour laws and criminal statutes,” he said.
The scandal adds to a long list of controversies at Chitungwiza. A 2020 audit uncovered unauthorized luxury trips for executives, while in 2023, the municipality was accused of failing to remit US$13 million in pension contributions deducted from workers’ salaries.
Chitungwiza lies about 30 kilometres south of Harare and had a population of 371,244 at the 2022 census. More recent estimates suggest the number has since passed 400,000. With residents already struggling with water shortages, uncollected waste, and fragile health services, the latest revelations deepen concerns over corruption and governance failures at one of Zimbabwe’s key local authorities.
