NYASHA MARUMBI
Four Mutare City Council officials have appeared in court on January 10 facing charges of abuse of office as defined in Section174(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act chapter (09.23) where they allegedly allocated a housing stand to a 15 year old girl.
It is alleged that between March 2014 to October 2016, the then Mutare City Council Housing and Community Services director, Sternard Mapurisa (68), housing officer, Gorden Nyamingura (44), acting housing officer, Masitemba Sithole(51), housing officer, Rophina Nyamungodo(51) and finance officer, Golden Mahlanza (44) acted in contravention of their duties.
The five are accused of intentionally allocating stand number 26485 Area 3 Dangamvura Extension at a
cost of US$5 560 to 15 year old Mellisa Ropafadzo Musunzuru.
The minor is daughter to Abigail Masunzuru who is also a Mutare City council officer.
It is alleged that at the time of application, Ropafadzo indicated that she was a vendor and was renting a house in Hobhouse paying US$80 in rentals and earning US$150 monthly.
Allegedly the accused were aware that Ropafadzo was a minor and that the actual beneficiary was Abigail Masunzuru who had been previously allocated a housing stand in Hobhouse 3 and was on the waiting list and was not eligible to apply for another housing stand
The five accused pleaded not guilty before the court and were remanded to 12 January for further trial.
Tirivanhu Mutyasira prosecuted.
