Tsholotsho RDC rocked by allowances scandal

By Thandeka Matebesi

Tsholotsho Rural District Council has been plunged into controversy once again amidst allegations of misappropriation of travelling and seating allowances by some councillors in the council’s Finance Committee.

According to sources, the Finance Committee led by Councillor Nkululeko Ndebele allegedly pegged a flat fee for travelling and seating allowances at $62.50 for all councillors despite their locations.

One councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the flat fee was meant to benefit Councillor Ndebele and his other two colleagues residing close to the council offices who were supposed to get a mere $5 if calculations had been done properly.

“Councillors get travelling and seating allowances for every meeting attended with the amount depending on the distance travelled in km and fuel used from one’s homestead to the council office. This is according to the circular from the Ministry of Local Government released some time this year.

However, the Finance Committee gazetted their own flat fee of $62,50 for all councillors regardless of their area of residence, in direct violation of the government’s directive. This has been going on for a while right under the nose of the CEO who only acted recently after the parent ministry’s audit system had picked up the irregularities”, said the Councillor.

The councillor also accused the CEO, Mr Nkululeko Sibanda, of negligence and described his memo to councillors as a firefighting strategy.

“The memo from the CEO shared with councillors is trying to correct a mistake which was done by members of a finance committee. Some councillors have been stealing from the council for a whole year, we raised this issue several times but no action was taken to fix it.

The memo seen by this publication reads: “Dear Councilors, In order to update our administrative records and support planning for travel, allowances, and logistical arrangements, the Council is undertaking a review of the distances travelled by councilors when attending official council business.

You are hereby requested to provide the estimated distance (in kilometers) from your primary homestead to the Council Offices in line with Circular No 12 (amended cross ref CX/7). Please ensure that the distance submitted reflects the most commonly used route.

Kindly submit this information to the Office number 5 at the council offices at the earliest convenient time.

Your cooperation in ensuring the accuracy and timely submission of this information is greatly appreciated”.

Tsholotsho RDC CEO Mr Nkululeko Sibanda could not be reached for comment.

When contacted for a comment Tsholotsho RDC Chairperson Councillor Rophus Ndlovu disputed any allegations of misappropriation of council funds by councillors or the Finance committee.

According to Councillor Ndlovu, the circular from the Ministry of Local Government was silent on the issue of travelling and seating allowances hence council had temporarily come up with its own compensation system.

“On the 3rd of November 2025, the honourable minister of local government and public works minister D Garwe issued a circular no 12 (amended) Cross Ref: CX/7 ( addendum). This was an addendum to councillors allowance and perks which came into effect on the 15th July 2025. The government noticed that this circular was silent on the issue you are raising. Councils had adopted their own interpretation of the silent issue.

Tsholotsho RDC after receiving the above circular has since communicated with all councillors requesting that they provide their distances from their homestead to council offices to effect the hon minister’s circular as read Ref: Addendum to Councillors allowances and Perks.

The council’s boss further absolved the finance committee of any wrongdoing arguing that allowances are pegged by the administration and not the committee.

“Members of the finance committee do not set allowances. Your anonymous councillor has been in council for a long time and should understand how council works. Also he needs to respond to the issues raised by finance committee during budget consultations than side step.

Also be reminded that councillors do not get sitting allowances. No councillor as far as I know have been stealing public funds. If there has been any over or under payments of travel and subsistence allowances for any councillors out administration is capable of making reconciliations than attempt to scandalise council and its elected representatives,” said Councillor Ndlovu.