Town secretary Sherry Nyakudya and housing and community
services officer Letwin Watambwa were on suspension after they were charged
with corruption.
The duo was arrested early last year on allegations of
corruption before they were suspended. They returned to office recently despite
a pending court case.
Council chairperson Alderman Mazhambe confirmed that the
two returned to work on November 28 under unclear circumstances.
“The two have
returned to office although the law does not permit them to go back to office
given that they have a pending court case,” Mazhambe said.
Residents claimed Kazembe’s front men were instrumental in
the reinstatement of the two council officials.
“From the onset we were always told about the involvement
of political giants in the case,” a resident who requested anonymity said.
“At first, the police failed to arrest them because of
threats by some Kazembe allies who had warned the police that arresting
Nyakudya and Watambwa was tantamount to dragging Zanu PF's name into the mud.
“The officials were later arrested, thanks to some other
powerful politicians from Zanu PF who declared that even the president was
against corruption.”
According to court records, the two council officers were
accused of illegally selling 200 housing stands to their connections including
Zanu PF supporters.
The case has driven a wedge in the Zanu PF district
structures with the town council chairman having been threatened and labelled a
sell-out by some of his party members.
Contacted for comment, Kazembe said political foes in the
ruling party wanted to tarnish his image.
“Find out exactly what transpired because I have no clue
nor do I have any interests in that case,” Kazembe said.
“Go and tell whoever has paid you to tarnish my image to go
to hell and he must not come back.
“Don’t you guys get tired of abusing my name?”
Kazembe is the Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial
chairperson. Standard
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