Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
TWO senior officials from Hurungwe Rural District Council have been released from remand after the State reportedly failed to produce a docket in their case involving criminal abuse of office.
Karoi magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea ordered the removal of Felistus Muteta, the council’s head of finance, and Brighton Dube, the internal auditor, from remand, effectively bringing proceedings against them to a halt for now.
The matter also involved the late Chamunorwa Mufuma, who was the council’s head of administration at the time of their arrest before his death late last year.
The trio was arrested in July last year by the Zimbabwe Republic Police anti-corruption unit on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
They were accused of unlawfully authorising payment of school fees for their children at private schools instead of mission schools, as allegedly required under council policy.
The accused denied the charges. Mr Mufuma is understood to have died following health complications linked to stress caused by the prolonged court process.
The complainant in the matter is former Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa, while former HRDC chief executive officer Luke Kalavina was listed as a State witness.
Kalavina is serving a 36-year prison sentence following his conviction in a separate abuse of office and fraud case involving US$47 000 after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
Lawyer Mr Shepherd Hokoma, who represented Muteta and Dube, confirmed the development to Zimpapers.
“The court refused to further remand the accused persons after the State failed to produce a docket for the matter,” he said.
Muteta and Dube have since resumed their duties at the council. Ms Wadzanai Madzorera appeared for the State.
