Chinhoyi Deputy Mayor jailed for double-dipping

Chinhoyi Deputy Mayor and Ward 14 Councillor, Chipo Mlotshwa, has been sentenced to 36 months in prison after she fraudulently obtained a second discounted residential stand by lying about her previous benefit from a council housing scheme.

Mlotshwa avoided a custodial sentence after Regional Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe commuted part of her sentence to 840 hours of community service, to be completed at Alaska Primary School. Failure to comply will result in her serving 24 months in prison. An additional 12 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Marceline Mudzongo told the court that on July 23, 2019, Mlotshwa misrepresented to the Chinhoyi Municipality that she had not previously received any residential stand under the local authority's councillor discount facility. On the basis of that false information, she was allocated a 2,504.6 square metre residential stand in Mapako valued at ZWL$17,270.70 (approximately US$17,270.70 at the time).

As part of the councillor perks, Mlotshwa received a 40% discount and paid ZWL$10,362.42. This fraudulent transaction resulted in a financial prejudice of ZWL$6,908.28 (US$6,908.28) to the municipality.

However, investigations later revealed that Mlotshwa had already benefitted from the same facility back on June 29, 2011, in direct violation of the Ministry of Local Government's Circular Number 12. The directive clearly stipulates that councillors are entitled to only one subsidised residential stand during their lifetime of service.

The case has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability in local authorities, as misuse of council resources continues to undermine public trust.