Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Deputy head of Zengeza 4 High School Patricia Mwaruta has appeared before the Harare Magistrate’s Court facing charges of extorting a US$400 bribe from a driller of the school borehole.
Mwaruta (51) was remanded on US$150 bail to March 13 by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The State, represented by Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that Zengeza 4 High School’s School Development Committee was in the process of obtaining quotations for the installation of a borehole, a solar system, a 5000-litre water tank, and a 4-metre tank stand.
The complainant, operating through his company, submitted a proposal for the project on January 9.
Mwaruta contacted the complainant two weeks later for an interview, during which she purportedly informed him that his quotation had been accepted.
The project, valued at approximately US$4,600, was to start under his direction. On February 4, the complainant received an initial deposit of US$1 500 and began drilling. After reaching 60m the complainant requested the outstanding balance of US$1 270 to complete the work.
It is alleged that at this stage, Mwaruta solicited a bribe of US$400, threatening to cancel the contract if the complainant refused to comply. The complainant reported this demand to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. Mwaruta was arrested after accepting a bribe of US$200 from the complainant.
