Danisa Masuku Court Reporter
BULAWAYO Magistrate Mr Samuel Chitumwa is set to rule on an application by Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and his co-accused councillors to be removed from remand.
The accused persons, through their legal representatives, applied to be placed off remand, arguing that there had been no progress in the matter since their arrest and initial court appearance.
Their lawyers submitted that the State should be given time to build its case before proceeding by way of summons.
Prosecutor Mr Arnold Mudekunye told the court that the accused allegedly demanded US$52 000 from a local businessman in exchange for allowing him to retain a 50-year lease agreement entered into in March 2023 for a hotel development.
The businessman was allegedly told that another investor was prepared to pay US$52 000 to have the lease cancelled and was advised to match the amount if he wanted to retain it.
The complainant subsequently approached the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which mounted a trap operation that led to the arrests.
