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Noah Pito in Hurungwe
A Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement official in Karoi has appeared in court for demanding bribes from desperate people seeking to be allocated stands at Kasimure Business Centre in Hurungwe.
Mushongi Mushawarima (48) was charged with criminal abuse of office when he appeared before Karoi magistrate Mr Obedience Matare last week.
Mushawarima, who is represented by Mr Muemeki of Mapaya and Partners, was remanded today on US$100 bail.
The court heard that sometime last month Mushawarima invited people who wanted business and residential stands at Kasimure Business Centre before he allegedly demanded US450 facilitation fee from every applicant.
Mushawarima allegedly received cash from all the land seekers thereby contravening the Ministry of Lands’ policy.
Police also found in Mushawarima in possession papers that should be kept at the ministry’s headquarters in Harare.
So far only seven complainants have shown up although the number is expected to rise.en 6am and 6pm, not to visit his workplace and not to interfere with Tichaona Zvimba, one of the complainants. He was remanded until October 4 this year.
Online Reporter