News / National
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor arrested for bribery
15 Nov 2024 at 08:27hrs | Views
The Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Edwin Ndlovu, and Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who chairs the Finance and Development Committee, have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of soliciting a bribe.
Ndlovu, the Ward 8 Councillor, and Moyo, representing Ward 26, are accused of demanding US$20,000 from Labenmon Investments, a company seeking to establish a cement mixing plant in Bulawayo.
Allegations Detailed
ZACC Communications Manager, Ms. Simiso Mlevu, revealed that the alleged bribe was tied to the approval of land for the company's project.
"In November 2023, Labenmon Investments, represented by Tsitsi Mapfumo, made an unsuccessful application for 10 hectares of land to set up a cement mixing plant," said Ms. Mlevu.
The application was resubmitted in April 2024, after which the company was offered 5.6 hectares of land. Following this, the accused allegedly approached Mapfumo, demanding US$20,000 as a reward for facilitating the approval on behalf of 20 other councillors.
A complaint was lodged with ZACC, prompting investigations that led to the arrests.
Arrests and Court Appearance
Ndlovu and Moyo are currently detained at Mzilikazi Police Station and are expected to appear in court on Saturday to answer to the charges.
ZACC's Stance
ZACC has reiterated its commitment to tackling corruption at all levels of government, emphasizing that public officials must uphold integrity in serving the nation.
This incident has sparked calls for transparency and accountability in local government operations, with residents and civic organizations urging authorities to root out corruption to foster investor confidence in the city.
Further developments on the case are awaited as the matter heads to court.
Ndlovu, the Ward 8 Councillor, and Moyo, representing Ward 26, are accused of demanding US$20,000 from Labenmon Investments, a company seeking to establish a cement mixing plant in Bulawayo.
Allegations Detailed
ZACC Communications Manager, Ms. Simiso Mlevu, revealed that the alleged bribe was tied to the approval of land for the company's project.
"In November 2023, Labenmon Investments, represented by Tsitsi Mapfumo, made an unsuccessful application for 10 hectares of land to set up a cement mixing plant," said Ms. Mlevu.
The application was resubmitted in April 2024, after which the company was offered 5.6 hectares of land. Following this, the accused allegedly approached Mapfumo, demanding US$20,000 as a reward for facilitating the approval on behalf of 20 other councillors.
A complaint was lodged with ZACC, prompting investigations that led to the arrests.
Arrests and Court Appearance
Ndlovu and Moyo are currently detained at Mzilikazi Police Station and are expected to appear in court on Saturday to answer to the charges.
ZACC's Stance
ZACC has reiterated its commitment to tackling corruption at all levels of government, emphasizing that public officials must uphold integrity in serving the nation.
This incident has sparked calls for transparency and accountability in local government operations, with residents and civic organizations urging authorities to root out corruption to foster investor confidence in the city.
Further developments on the case are awaited as the matter heads to court.
Source - The Herald
