The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has written to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) seeking the Commission to investigate the theft of equipment at various Harare City health centres.
CHRA claims that there have been theft of solar panels and water tanks at various council clinics despite the presence of Municipal Police officers manning the premises.
In a letter dated October 25, 2022 to the chairperson of the Commission, CHRA acting director Rueben Akili said the failure to take action against the officers who were on duty is an indication of corruption in the local authority.
“The Combined Harare Residents Association is calling for thorough investigations on19 cases of theft of equipment in Harare City Council Health Centres when Municipal officers were on duty. We are disturbed that in as much as there were municipal officers manning the health centres there is no explanation on the disappearance of the equipment which include big water tanks and solar panels.
“We are of the view that the inaction by the Municipal Police Department in terms of disciplining the municipal officers who were on duty on the days when thefts occurred, may be an indicator of serious issues of graft in the local authority.
“We are worried that the theft which has crippled maternal health provisions in health centres will continuously deny women of their right to have access to have basic health care services including productive health care services provided in Section 76 (1) of the Zimbabwean Constitution,” wrote Akili
CHRA’s call comes at a time five council employees were arrested last month on allegations of breaking into council premises and looting 91 bulk water meters valued at over US$40,000.
