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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
MANGWE Rural District Council former chief executive officer Nketha Mangoye Dlamini has been acquitted of charges of criminal abuse of duty during his term of office after the court failed to find incrimination evidence against him.
The local authority recently dragged Dlamini (53) to court saying he awarded a $65 000 contract for road maintenance to Enfund Construction Company without informing the local authority and authorised payment of $19 511 to the company before it had completed necessary work as stated in the contract. He was also accused of hiring out a grader to the company without approval of the local authority.
Dlamini had pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal abuse of duty when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate Mr Obedience Matare. He filed an application for discharge at the close of State case.
“The court rules that the accused has demonstrated that most of the documents which are in question were executed by other persons besides himself and where he was the main actor it was consistent with other previous acts. The accused is therefore discharged at the close of State case. He is accordingly found not guilty and acquitted,” said Mr Matare while passing the verdict.
Blessing Chizhande
Online Reporter