The Mutare Crime Ring: In 2023 three former Mutare City Council executives were arrested for criminal abuse of duty after allegedly creating and selling eight residential stands measuring 20 967 square metres with an estimated value of U$482 241 without authority. @4lowthemoney pic.twitter.com/VUqjyAHo5h
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
The three were former acting Chief town planner Richard Simbi (shown), former Director of works Donaldson G Nyatoti and former Accounting officer Obert Muzawazi. pic.twitter.com/Xi5sV88PCc
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
Richard Simbi was the Acting Chief Town Planner during the time when the offence was committed. He was in charge of all the Town Planning of the City of Mutare. @OpenParlyZw
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
The second accused person, D. G. Nyatoti was the former Director of Works. His duties included Town planning, making layout plans, lodging layout plans with the Department of physical planning and to see that they are approved by the responsible Minister.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
The third accused person was Obert Muzawazi who was the overall accounting officer of Mutare City Council by virtue of being the Town Clerk.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
According to the state, from February 2005 to July 2014 the accused persons unlawfully and un-procedurally created and sold eight stands from the remainder of 2485 Umtali Township.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
Investigations revealed that there was no Council resolution authorising the creation of those stands.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
ZACC, which arrested the trio, said two stands were allocated to Richard Simbi and there was no proof that he paid the purchase price for the stands.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
When allocating those stands Muzawazi cited several Council resolutions which did not exist purporting as if the Council had authorized the sale of those stands.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
Knowing fully well that the local layout plan had not been approved, the accused persons acting in connivance rushed with the unapproved layout plan and disposed of residential stands to individuals. @4lowthemoney
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
The stands measured 20 967 square meters with an estimated value of U$482 241. The deal was done without any approval from the Department of Physical Planning and Minister responsible.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
Thus the three accused did not follow proper procedures as required by their responsibilities before parcelling out land.
— OpenCouncilHRE (@OpenCouncilHRE) March 19, 2024
