Harare, (New Ziana) – Two senior Harare City Council officials have been convicted of criminal abuse of office by the High Court in a case that involved corrupt disposal of municipal land.

Stanley Ndemera, the acting finance director, and Emmanuel Mutambirwa, the valuation and estate manager, corruptly facilitated the unlawful sale of three commercial land areas.

The court ruled that the duo violated the law in many ways, including selling land that was under an existing lease agreement, contravening a 2005 council resolution that prohibited such disposal without going to tender, and with no environmental impact assessment.

The land use was also changed without obtaining necessary regulatory authority, and the duo also neglected to follow other procedures such as advertising the sell and obtaining approval from the parent Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

Initially, four officials were charged in the case, Hebert Gomba, the first accused, was discharged at the close of the state’s case, while Daniel Usingarohwe, the fourth accused, was acquitted. Ndemera and Mutambirwa have been remanded in custody and are scheduled for sentencing on July 24, 2024.

New Ziana