Mutare Acting Town Clerk Granted Bail

Mutare-(New Ziana)-City of Mutare acting Town Clerk, Anthony Mutara, who was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Friday on allegations of corruption was granted ZW$ 40 000 bail.

Mutara (57) appeared before Mutare magistrate Langton Mukwengi facing charges criminal abuse of office as a public officer.

The accused was represented by Hugo Tanaya of Tanaya Legal firm and was not asked to plead.

On granting bail, Mukwengi ordered Mutara to report once every fortnight to Mutare Central Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) section, reside at the given address until the matter is finalized and not interfere with State witnesses.

Mutara will be back in court on September 21.

Prosecutor Sharon Chibvongodze told the court that Mutara acted contrary to his duties as a public officer by showing favour to Geonor Ndhlovu when he offered her a contract of employment without following employment procedures.

He also reportedly single handedly recommended and approved the contract on behalf of the substantive Town Clerk Joshua Maligwa who passed away last year.

“On December 4, 2020,the then Town Clerk of the city of Mutare, Joshua Maligwa went on sick leave and decided to appoint the Finance Director Mr Chafesuka as acting town clerk starting from January 5, 2021 to February 5,2021.

“However,Maligwa died on January 5,2021.On January 8, Mutara authored a memorandum to the acting town clerk recommending Ms Geonor Ndlovu to be contracted as a typist in the Health department for the reason that his Personal Assistant AC Ngwarati was on sick leave and was not feeling well,” the court heard.

The court was further told that Mutara attached a letter from his personal assistant which had his instructions, ordering Ngwarati to fill in leave forms and requested a three months contract for Ndhlovu from the acting town clerk.

“On Monday January 12, in his capacity as Town Clerk, Mutara offered Ndhlovu a contract of employment as a general hand with going through the interview and selection process. The contract was effective from January 4 2021 to March 31 2021.Mutara then signed the contract on behalf of Joshua Maligwa, who had already died on January 5 while Ndlovu signed her contract on January 12.”
New Ziana