MUTARE Town Clerk, Mr Joshua Maligwa was yesterday
(Thursday) acquitted on the criminal abuse of office charges he was facing.
The State had alleged that during his tenure as the Rusape
town secretary, Mr Maligwa unlawfully paid his own tuition fees without council
approval.
He was also accused of awarding contracts to various
companies without going to tender and overpaying his foreign travel and
subsistence allowances.
It was also alleged that Mr Maligwa swayed decisions
regarding his terminal benefits.
But Rusape magistrate, Mr Vusimuzi Gapara acquitted him
after a full trial, with the magistrate citing bad blood between Mr Maligwa and
his successor, Mr Solomon Gabaza, who has since been suspended by the local
authority over alleged misconduct.
Mr Maligwa was represented by a defence team comprised of
Mr Victor Chinzamba and Mr Taurai Khupe, while Ms Event Dhliwayo prosecuted.
In his ruling, Mr Gapara queried why Mr Gabaza, who was the
town treasurer during Mr Maligwa’s tenure, had to wait until the former left
Rusape Town Council to report the alleged criminal cases.
The court found this to be mischievous and proof of the bad
blood between the two.
Mr Gapara also noted that as the treasurer, Mr Gabaza had
been responsible for approving and processing all the requisitions but had not
raised any objections as the alleged events were unfolding.
With regards to Mr Maligwa’s terminal benefits, the issue
is still pending before the Labour Court. Manica Post
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