adminTendai Gukutikwa
FORMER Mutare Town Clerk, Obert Muzawazi last week appeared in court facing six counts of criminal abuse of office.
He was asked not to plead when he appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura who granted him $400 bail.
Representing Muzawazi was Mutare lawyer, Mr David Tandiri of Tandiri Law Chambers, while Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
He was being charged with contravening Section 174 (1) (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Muzawazi was ordered to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court Mutare, report at CID Mutare offices once every fortnight, not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at his given address.
Allegations surrounding the matter were that on April 16, 2014 and at City of Mutare’s Housing and Community Services, Muzawazi offered a residential stand to Nyarai Faith Matabhini after she paid $1 000 leaving a $3 050 balance.
He allegedly gave her an offer letter.
It was further alleged that the same stand was later sold to Prince Bumhira who was also given an offer letter without following proper council procedures of re-possession.
“Muzawazi unprocedurely re-possessed Matabhini’s stand and offered her two other stands, well knowing that the other stands were already issued to other beneficiaries thereby abusing his authority as the head of Mutare City Council.
“During the period extending August 19, 2015 and October 5, 2015 while he was still employed as the Town Clerk, Muzawazi is alleged to have sold four stands in Tiger Kloof to different home seekers,” said Mr Karombe.
He said Muzawazi was supposed to advertise the residential stands in the local press before selling them as provided by Section 152(1)(2)(a) of the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15.
Mr Karombe said Muzawazi did not do so and by so doing he abused his authority.
The case was adjourned to April 21.
Online Reporter