Bulawayo councillors drop bail bid amid Zacc witness cross-examination

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu and fellow councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu have abandoned their bid for bail as their defence team continues to cross-examine a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) official who is a key State witness in their case.

The development occurred during the continuation of their remand proceedings at the Bulawayo Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday, where defence lawyers were still questioning the ZACC official over the investigations and allegations against the councillors.

The two councillors, together with former councillor Alderman Rodney Jele, are facing allegations of extortion involving a businessman who allegedly sought their intervention in a dispute with the Bulawayo City Council.

The decision by Edwin Ndlovu and Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu to withdraw their bail application at this stage means they will remain in custody as the proceedings continue.

The State alleges that the three accused persons abused their positions and influence by allegedly demanding money from the complainant.

During cross-examination, the defence has been scrutinising the ZACC official's evidence, focusing on how the investigation was conducted, the allegations levelled against the councillors and the evidence gathered by the anti-corruption agency.

The defence is also expected to continue challenging the circumstances surrounding the investigation as the remand proceedings unfold.

The continued questioning of the State witness is expected to provide further insight into the prosecution's case before the court determines the next stage of the proceedings.

The three accused were arrested following investigations by ZACC into allegations of extortion.

They have not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against them remain to be tested in court.