Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
CRIME really doesn’t PAY! Just ask the three Hurungwe Rural District Council officials who bagged a whopping 18-year prison sentence each for looting a measly US$17,990 meant to build a community bridge.
Council Engineer Romeo Mupamaonde, his assistant Alfred Makama, and Batsirayi Nyamayaro, the Director of Anstand Investments, will now rot behind bars for almost two decades after hatching a scheme to steal public funds in broad daylight.
Instead of building the Chehoko Causeway Bridge, the trio roped in a contractor, Kainos Mupiwa, who completed the project with free community labour and was paid just US$1,450!
The rest of the money Vanished.
“Justice has prevailed. The message is clear: corruption will cost you your freedom,” said Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) spokesperson Simiso Mlevu.
The sentencing judge hammered the trio with 18 years apiece, suspending three years on condition of good behaviour, and ordering them to cough up US$5 000 fines each.
Even their company, Anstand Investments, wasn’t spared — fined US$5 000, with a Sheriff’s auction looming if they don’t pay up.
While the fourth accused, Hurungwe CEO Luke Kalavina, was acquitted in this case, he’s not off the hook. He’s still locked up awaiting judgment on other corruption charges.
Let this be a lesson to all would-be looters: $17K isn’t worth 18 years of prison porridge.
