Harare councillor fined for lying under oath

Trust Freddy

Herald Correspondent

HARARE City Council’s works and town planning chairperson Councillor Takudzwa Dzumbunu has been fined US$300 for lying under oath about her academic qualifications before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the city.

Clr Dzumbunu admitted yesterday that she had falsely claimed to be a holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Public Administration from the University of Zimbabwe when previously testifying before the five-member Commission led by Justice Maphios Cheda.

Clr Dzumbunu was asked to produce academic qualifications after struggling to give the full name of her degree.

She then pleaded with the Commission for forgiveness, admitting that she did not graduate as previously claimed, having failed a module.

However, Justice Cheda rejected the plea, citing the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which states that any witness who, after being sworn in, provides false evidence, shall be guilty of an offence.

“You are hereby sentenced to pay a fine of US$300 or, in default of payment, to undergo imprisonment for a period of six months,” Justice Cheda said in his ruling.

“The imprisonment sentence is suspended for a period of five years, on condition that during that period, you do not contravene sections 12, 18, and 14 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act or commit any petty offence before any competent court or tribunal, or quasi-judicial hearing, and upon conviction, you are sentenced to a fine or imprisonment,” he                                                                                          said.

When asked why she lied before the Commission of Inquiry, Clr Dzumbunu said: “When I had that interview, I had hopes that I was going to collect it (degree) at the University (of Zimbabwe) so that I would still bring it forward.

“However, when I went to the university I was told that the course that I had not completed had been scratched off the programme.”

The Commission became suspicious when she failed to provide the full name of her degree, prompting Justice Cheda to request her degree certificate.

This comes amid revelations that several Harare City Council committee chairpersons lack basic qualifications or relevant experience and do not understand the demands of their roles.