The trial of eight Harare councillors accused of corruptly allocating 24 industrial stands to themselves continued on Thursday, with key testimonies painting a complex picture of alleged misconduct and procedural breaches. The proceedings, overseen by Magistrate Donald Ndirowei, have shed light on the controversial actions of the accused and the intricacies of their alleged abuse of power.
Pakhamile Mabhena Moyo, the acting town clerk, provided testimony that seemed to downplay the gravity of the accusations. Moyo indicated that, according to his understanding, the councillors’ actions were within their rights as their positions allowed them to acquire land through official deliberations. However, he acknowledged that his expertise is limited to the water department, suggesting he may not be fully versed in the legal implications of the councillors’ actions.
In contrast, Kennedy Chikandamina, the acting city valuer and Harare City Council (HCC) estates manager, provided a starkly different perspective. Chikandamina alleged significant procedural irregularities, claiming that instructions from the town clerk circumvented standard procedures. Specifically, he mentioned a memorandum dated June 17, 2022, which directed the allocation of stands in a manner that bypassed normal verification processes and the waiting list.
Chikandamina highlighted that some individuals, including Dr. Prosper Chonzi and councillors Tichaona Mhetu and Brian Matione, did not follow proper protocols, such as paying application fees as required. This testimony pointed to a breakdown in the standard procedures governing land allocation.
State prosecutor Tendai Tapi detailed the charges against the eight councillors: Costa Mande, Gilbert Thamsanqa Hadebe, Maxwell Dutuma, Loveness Gomba, Happymore Gotora, Ian Muteto Makone, Stanley Manasi Manyenga, and Shepherd Chikomba. They are accused of criminal abuse of duty as public officers, facing two counts related to the alleged misconduct.
According to Tapi, the accused, who are part of the finance and development committee, misused their positions to allocate commercial/industrial stands to themselves and senior council officials. The case revolves around a resolution from June 2022, which purportedly recommended that council employees be allocated 20% of all stands created in Harare.
The prosecution alleges that Mande and his co-accused unlawfully allocated stands to themselves during meetings held on November 14 and December 14, 2022. The process involved a scheme where councillors would temporarily leave meetings to allow others to allocate stands to them, only to return and reciprocate the favor.
The prosecutor further argued that the councillors’ actions contravened Ministry of Local Government circular 12 (CX/7), which specifies that councillors are only entitled to one residential stand and must follow normal procedures for commercial or industrial stands. The circular also mandates that all land allocations should be advertised and tendered.
Additionally, the accused are said to have recommended waiving the requirement for advertising and tendering, and to have suggested leasing commercial stands to senior employees as a condition of service. According to Tapi, such conditions fall outside the committee’s mandate and are not supported by Harare City Council’s policies.
The trial continues to unfold, revealing intricate details of alleged corruption and procedural lapses within Harare City Council. As the court examines the evidence and testimonies, the case underscores the broader issues of governance and accountability in local government operations. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the management of public resources and the integrity of municipal governance.
In other news – Dubai-Based Zimbabwean man exposed for scamming 35 women out of millions
In a dramatic turn of events, a Dubai-based Zimbabwean man, Jasper Anesu Munikwa, has been unmasked for allegedly deceiving and defrauding 35 women under the pretense of marriage. The scandal broke when one of Munikwa’s former lovers publicly exposed him for tricking her out of thousands of dollars with promises of marriage and financial support.
According to reports, Munikwa initially gained the trust of his victims by professing intentions to marry them. He even went so far as to plan a lobola ceremony in Zimbabwe. However, when the young woman arrived in Zimbabwe for the ceremony, she began to uncover a series of deceptions. Read More
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