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Mashonaland West Bureau
SOME Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) Karoi Town Councillors have been fingered in the US$54 000 extortion case that
resulted in the suspension of acting town secretary, Tongai Namisala.
Namisala was arraigned before a Karoi Magistrate on Monday facing criminal abuse of office charges.
He was granted US$500 bail.
Mr Reginald Chavora prosecuted.
Namisala allegedly demanded a bribe from Mr Marlon Mapika, who was assigned by the Ministry of Local Government to work
on Karoi Town Council’s master plan.
As part of the master plan contract, Mr Mapika was paid US$180 000 by Karoi Council through his account.
The court heard that Namisala allegedly contacted Mr Mapika and demanded US$36 000 as a token of appreciation, which is
20 percent of the total amount paid for the master plan project.
Mr Mapika is said to have paid US$30 000 to the accused person.
Namisala also demanded varying amounts of cash ranging from US$1 000 to US$3 000.
“On another occasion, the accused person contacted the lead planner requesting US$30 00 which he said was for his children’s
second term school fees as well as for the Councillors,” said part of the submissions made by the Nation Prosecuting Authority.
Namisala is alleged to have received a total of US$54 100, while the contractor paid US$1 500 in transaction charges. The
planner suffered a US$53 700 loss.
According to the State outline seen by The Herald, some Councillors received part of the money paid to Mr Mapika. Karoi Town
Council is made up of 11 councillors who are all from the opposition party.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that one Councillor was picked up by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
on Thursday morning.
Karoi Town Council chairman, Alderman Kudakwashe Chigumo is yet to respond to questions sent to him by this publication.
Online Reporter