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Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE Local Board Town (HLB) secretary, Mr Ndumiso Mdlalose, who has been on suspension is set to resume work this week after councillors unanimously agreed to reinstate him following his acquittal by the courts.
Mr Mdlalose was last week acquitted, by Hwange regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, of criminal abuse of office charges, which he was facing leading up to his suspension from the local authority.
The court ruled that the State had failed to submit tangible evidence that could warrant a conviction.
Mr Mdlalose was arrested last year by officers from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) together with housing director, Mr Ananias Banda for abuse of office after they were accused of having sold an industrial stand worth over US$1 million for US$20 000 to a coal processing company.
The duo who were represented by Muvhiringi and Associates denied the charges.
Mr Mdlalose (54) of Number 1 Sunset Close in Baobab suburb and Mr Banda (51) of Number 8 Coronation Drive had been on bail since their arrest in May last year before being subsequently suspended with pay by councillors.
A councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sunday News that a full board meeting held on Thursday moved to reinstate Mr Mdlalose and Mr Banda following their acquittal.
“Yes, its true, councillors unanimously voted to have Mdlalose reinstated and we expect him to resume his duties this coming week. This brings to a close, a case that has dragged on for quite a long time and we look forward to moving past this.”
However, when contacted for comment HLB public relations officer, Mr Dumisani Nsingo referred questions to the council chairperson, Clr Morrison Mafa who could neither confirm nor deny the development.
Allegations then according to the prosecution led by Ms Memory Munsaka, arose from the sale of a six-hectare industrial stand Number 7011 to Paarlweb Investments Pvt Ltd for US$20 000 at a cost of US$0.33 cents per square metre against a council resolution of selling the stand for US$1 983 600 at a cost of US$33.06 per square metre by the two.
Paarlweb, whose directors are Bruno Takawira and Portia Takawira, wanted the piece of land to establish a coke oven battery and had initially applied for 20ha on 26 May 2022.
The council deliberated on the application on 8 July 2022 and resolved to place the issue on hold pending investigations by the Health, Housing and Community Services committee, which wanted to have sight of the company’s environmental impact assessment report.
A special council board meeting later resolved to accept the application and to sell the stand at the prevailing cost.
Online Reporter