Detectives drag councillor out of meeting in dramatic arrest

Gweru City Council finance committee chairperson, Councillor Albert Chirau of Ward 11 Mkoba 5, has been arrested for allegedly illegally renting out council property.

Police have indicated they could make more arrests as the rest of the councillors are suspected to have been involved in similar scams in the last two years.

They have allegedly been renting out council property and pocketing the money.

Acting town clerk, Christopher Ruwodo, confirmed Clr Chirau's arrest but declined to comment.

Sources said Clr Chirau was arrested at town house during a disciplinary hearing over which he was presiding.

He was dragged out of the proceedings by detectives and bungled into a waiting police car.

Police said Clr Chirau was denying a charge of abuse of office whereby he was being accused of renting out council property and failing to submit the money to council coffers.