Chitungwiza town clerk arrested over fraud

By Daniel Nemukuyu

CHITUNGWIZA town clerk Godfrey Tanyanyiwa, a known Zanu PF supporter, was on Thursday evening arrested on allegations of fraud and criminal abuse of office. The arrest follows the resignation of two other senior officials.

Chamber secretary Ms Omega Mugumbate and director of health services Dr Mike Simoyi tendered their resignations this week for unknown reasons. The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Tanyanyiwa around 6pm and he was taken to Rhodesville Police Station where he is being held pending appearance in court.

Harare lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, who is representing Tanyanyiwa, confirmed the arrest saying the charges were still unclear.

“Yes Mr Tanyanyiwa has been arrested but the charges are not yet clear. He is detained at Rhodesville Police Station.

“From what the investigators were saying, the case should have something to do with a Chisipite property. Mr Tanyanyiwa was arrested around 6pm.”

The arrest came three days after the Anti-Corruption Commission investigators visited the municipality offices and seized some files for investigation purposes.

Sources at council head office in Zengeza yesterday confirmed the resignations of Dr Simoyi and Ms Mugumbate. Ms Mugumbate left the black Toyota Fortuner SUV that she used while still chamber secretary at the municipality management car park.

A woman identified as Ms Madzivanzira is now occupying the chamber secretary’s office. Reasons for the duo’s resignation were not clear as of yesterday.

The entrance to the office of the town clerk was locked and a security guard who was behind the screen door informed visitors that “the town clerk is not available today”. Chitungwiza municipality has been under fire for alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of funds.

There are reports that council bought a house in Chisipite and made a part payment of US$80 000 with the intention of accommodating the town clerk. The house was being sold for $165 000. As a result of cash flow problems, council failed to pay the balance.

Mr Tanyanyiwa allegedly borrowed US$85 000 from the cash-strapped municipality to pay off the house that was then registered in his name.

However, Tanyanyiwa rented out the house to the council for US$1 300 monthly. The town clerk is staying in a different house in Mount Pleasant at the expense of council to the tune of US$1 500 per month while at the same time accessing a housing allowance of US$320.