Bulawayo deputy mayor challenges 'strange arrest'

Incarcerated Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu has formally challenged his arrest on bribery allegations, calling the circumstances surrounding his detention "strange" and his arrest "illegal."

Ndlovu, who was arrested alongside Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, is facing charges of allegedly demanding a US$20,000 bribe from a Chinese company, Labenmon Investments, which was allocated land by the Bulawayo City Council for a cement manufacturing plant. The two councillors are accused of soliciting the bribe in exchange for facilitating the allocation of land for the project.

In his application for bail pending trial filed at the High Court on Friday, Ndlovu described the events surrounding his arrest as unusual. He claimed that he had been contacted by Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube, who informed him that Councillor Moyo had been arrested. In response, Ndlovu said he went to the Mzilikazi Police Station to inquire about Moyo's situation.

Upon arrival, he was allegedly detained by detectives from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) without being informed of the charges against him. Ndlovu maintains that his arrest was unjustified and that he was not properly briefed on the nature of the allegations.

In his court application, Ndlovu further denied any connection to Labenmon Investments or its representative, Tsitsi Mapfumo, the alleged complainant in the case. He stated that he had never met Mapfumo and had no personal dealings with the company beyond official council matters. He also pointed out that the land allocation to Labenmon Investments followed the proper procedures set by the council.

"The arrest was very strange to say the least," Ndlovu said in his application. "Apart from not knowing Tsitsi Mapfumo, the allocation of land to Labenmon Investments followed council due procedures and processes. I am actually on public record welcoming such developments in Bulawayo."

ZACC detectives claim that Ndlovu and Moyo were arrested after they received "trap money" from Mapfumo, although Ndlovu has denied any involvement with the alleged bribery. He also refuted claims that he had ever been to Mapfumo's home or engaged in any unlawful dealings.

"The issue gets complicated because the list is allegedly written on a Labenmon Investments letterhead. I have never had in my possession the letterhead of that company," he continued. "I have no relations whatsoever with the company save for the official council business that was conducted and concluded at council chambers."

Ndlovu also emphasized that the case against him was weak, stating, "The trap does not involve me in any way... the case against me is sinking sand."

As part of his bail application, Ndlovu argued that he was a suitable candidate for bail, noting that he had no prior criminal record and was a well-established businessman in Bulawayo. The deputy mayor has continued to assert his innocence, claiming that the charges against him are baseless.

Both Ndlovu and Moyo, who were elected on the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, remain behind bars, while Labenmon Investments plans to establish its cement factory near Cowdray Park, a high-density suburb in Bulawayo.

The arrest of the two councillors has attracted significant attention, particularly as Bulawayo City Council is controlled by the opposition. The case continues to unfold as the legal process progresses.