Online Reporter
Municipal Correspondent
Chegutu Municipality Town Clerk Jacob Chikuruwo has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over the alleged irregular sale of a 5.1-hectare piece of council land to Flying Pot Private Limited.
Chikuruwo, who is facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively fraud, appeared before Chegutu magistrate Ms Sharon Mashavira and was remanded to September 4 on US$100 bail.
The State was represented by Ms Abigirl Fana.
ZACC said the allegations stem from events between 2011 and 2013 when Chikuruwo was serving as Chegutu Municipality’s Chamber Secretary.
It is alleged that Chikuruwo failed in his duties by not advising the council on the procedures that had to be followed before disposing the land to Flying Pot Private Limited, owned by the late businessman Edward Pfugari.
The commission alleges that Chikuruwo did not advise council to advertise the proposed sale or obtain the requisite change of land use approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
As a result, the land was allegedly sold without following due process.
According to the State, Mr Pfugari had entered into a 99-year lease agreement with Chegutu Municipality in 1994 for the development of a restaurant and recreational facilities on a 12.3-hectare stand.
Between 2010 and 2012, the local authority reportedly entered into negotiations with Mr Pfugari to subdivide the leased property and sell him a portion measuring 5.1 hectares.
On August 15, 2012, council resolved to sell the portion to Flying Pot Private Limited for US$561 000.
However, investigations allegedly established that Mr Pfugari had already paid a US$50 000 deposit towards the purchase of the land before council had passed the resolution authorising the sale.
ZACC alleges that the circumstances surrounding the transaction amounted to a failure to follow the prescribed procedures governing the disposal and change of use of council land.
Chikuruwo is expected back in court on September 4 as investigations continue.
