In 2022 the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested Chegutu Council Human Resources Manager George Kasamu and Revenue Accountant Blandina Kavhayi on several allegations including abuse of office, sexual harassment, nepotism as well as tax evasion. @4lowthemoney
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Kasamu was accused of various charges including abuse of office, sexual harassment, nepotism as well as evading tax.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
He was said to have flouted the recruitment procedures on two occasions in an effort to accommodate his relatives.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
In the first incident he deliberately employed a municipal officer without five O Levels when the advert clearly stated that all candidates must have at least five ordinary levels.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
On the second occasion, Kasamu violated a council resolution that stated that only three roving cashiers should be recruited.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Instead, the HR manager went on to recruit four people, once again in an effort to accommodate another candidate who was the daughter of his friend.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Further allegations stated that Kasumu misrepresented figures of senior managers’ rentals and school fees benefits for tax purposes, thereby evading tax, prejudicing the Government of millions of dollars since 2014.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
A report to that effect was also released by ZIMRA. Kasamu also violated the student recruitment resolution which said only 14 students could be on the payroll by enrolling more than 30 students, of which he would use his discretion to choose which 14 would be on the payroll.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
This led to a lot of cases of sexual abuse at the workplace as desperate students would be lured for sexual escapades just to be among the 14 on the payroll.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Revenue Accountant Blandina Kavhayi was also jointly charged with Kasamu for abuse of office in the recruitment process.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
However, the senior officials were acquitted on charges of corruptly recruiting four roving cashiers when they appeared before Chinhoyi Magistrate Shepherd Munjanja.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
In his ruling passed following the application for discharge at the close of State case filed by defence lawyers Tapson Dzvetero and Fortune Murisi, presiding magistrate said the court had failed to establish a prima facie case against accused persons.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
According to witnesses the accused had diligently executed their duties.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Munjanja outlined a total of 12 candidates were shortlisted for the cashier posts, but only four out of the required six were recruited which was a sign that the meticulous vetting had disqualified the rest as unsuitable.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
The court also heard recruitment was targeting six and not three cashiers as alleged.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 20, 2024
Munjanja ruled the head-hunting process was above board.
