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Harare Mayor fined US$300 for lying under oath
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Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has been fined US$300 for lying under oath during a commission of inquiry investigating governance issues at Town House since 2017.
The commission, chaired by Justice Maphios Cheda, recently conducted an inspection in loco at a property on Coronation Road in Greendale, Harare, which Mafume had claimed as his residence. However, the investigation revealed that the property at 110 Coronation Road was actually a vehicle auction site, contradicting the mayor's statements.
Justice Cheda questioned Mafume, emphasizing that the commission sought only to establish the truth about his address. Mafume then claimed his residence was two blocks away from the auction site, but the chairperson dismissed his explanation, asserting that the mayor had misled the commission.
Mafume later admitted his wrongdoing and issued an apology.
"Yes, my Lord, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies to the commission for the misleading information. I have indeed given the rest of my evidence to the commission," he said.
He further pleaded for leniency, arguing that this was his first offense before the commission.
Justice Cheda sentenced Mafume to either a fine of US$300 or three months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, provided he does not violate Sections 13 or 14 of the Commission's Inquiry Act during that period.
"In light of that, the commission will impose the following sentence on you: Mr. Jacob Mafume, you are sentenced to pay a fine of US$300 or three months' imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that during that period, you are not convicted of contravening Section 13 or 14 of the Commission's Inquiry Act," he ruled.
Justice Cheda acknowledged the embarrassment Mafume had endured since the incident became public and noted that media scrutiny was sufficient punishment in itself.
"The embarrassment which has engulfed you from the time you sat down and heard about this matter, the media spreading bad news to you, that is enough punishment," he added.
Despite the false testimony, Justice Cheda commended Mafume for providing clear and concise evidence on other matters during the inquiry, emphasizing that the mayor was not being labeled as a habitual liar but had simply misled the commission in this instance.
The commission, chaired by Justice Maphios Cheda, recently conducted an inspection in loco at a property on Coronation Road in Greendale, Harare, which Mafume had claimed as his residence. However, the investigation revealed that the property at 110 Coronation Road was actually a vehicle auction site, contradicting the mayor's statements.
Justice Cheda questioned Mafume, emphasizing that the commission sought only to establish the truth about his address. Mafume then claimed his residence was two blocks away from the auction site, but the chairperson dismissed his explanation, asserting that the mayor had misled the commission.
Mafume later admitted his wrongdoing and issued an apology.
"Yes, my Lord, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies to the commission for the misleading information. I have indeed given the rest of my evidence to the commission," he said.
He further pleaded for leniency, arguing that this was his first offense before the commission.
Justice Cheda sentenced Mafume to either a fine of US$300 or three months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, provided he does not violate Sections 13 or 14 of the Commission's Inquiry Act during that period.
"In light of that, the commission will impose the following sentence on you: Mr. Jacob Mafume, you are sentenced to pay a fine of US$300 or three months' imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that during that period, you are not convicted of contravening Section 13 or 14 of the Commission's Inquiry Act," he ruled.
Justice Cheda acknowledged the embarrassment Mafume had endured since the incident became public and noted that media scrutiny was sufficient punishment in itself.
"The embarrassment which has engulfed you from the time you sat down and heard about this matter, the media spreading bad news to you, that is enough punishment," he added.
Despite the false testimony, Justice Cheda commended Mafume for providing clear and concise evidence on other matters during the inquiry, emphasizing that the mayor was not being labeled as a habitual liar but had simply misled the commission in this instance.
Source - newsday
