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The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested three Rusape Town Council officials on charges of criminal abuse of duty as public officers, a violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The arrests, which took place on yesterday originate from the alleged unlawful revival and reprocessing of a previously rejected solar power plant proposal.
The accused are identified as Togarepi Nerwande, who served as Director of Human Capital & Administration and Acting Town Secretary at the time of the alleged offense; Morris Tekwa, Director of Housing, Health and Community Services; and Arnold Mandizvidza Kutoka, a former Council Engineer.
According to ZACC, the case revolves around a 2018 proposal by Texas Energy Pvt Ltd to develop a solar power plant in Tsanzaguru, Rusape.
This initial proposal was rejected by the Ministry of Local Government due to insufficient land and its existing residential zoning.
However, between September and December 2022, the three accused officials allegedly unlawfully revived and reprocessed this rejected application, bypassing critical legal procedures.
The commission asserts that on December 28, 2022, Togarepi Nerwande illegally signed a 99-year lease agreement with Texas Energy, misrepresenting the land as open space suitable for development, despite its designated residential use.
ZACC alleges that the officials deliberately neglected to adhere to statutory procedures, including public notification and securing ministerial approval, both of which are mandatory for land-use changes.
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