Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, arrested on Thursday evening by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on charges of corruption, have been remanded in custody.
The duo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mature but were not asked to plead to charges of bribery.
They were remanded in custody to 29 November 2024
According to the State, represented by Acumen Khupe, the allegations stem from events between 10 October and 14 November 2024.
During this period, Ndlovu and Moyo allegedly solicited a bribe of USD 20 000 from Tsitsi Mapfumo, the coordinator for Labenmon Investments (Private) Limited, a Chinese company.
The bribe was purportedly intended as a “reward” for 20 councillors who facilitated and approved the allocation of 5.6 hectares of land in the Umvumil Industrial area, Bulawayo, for the construction of a cement mixing plant.
“In November 2023, the complainant, acting on instructions from Mr. Wencal Huo, the Managing Director of Labenmon Investments, sought a suitable piece of land for the plant. On 3 November 2023, the complainant applied to the Bulawayo City Council for 10 hectares of land, but the application was unsuccessful. The Town Planner, Mr. Mkhwebu, advised that no land was available for such a project,” Khupe explained.
A second application was made on 3 April 2024, with additional details about the proposed business. On 10 October 2024, the Bulawayo City Council allocated 5.6 hectares of land for the cement plant in Umvumil Industrial area.
After the allocation, Moyo allegedly visited Mapfumo’s residence, informing her that Bulawayo City Council (BCC) councillors expected a reward for facilitating the offer. Moyo was advised to wait while Mapfumo consulted with Huo regarding the matter.
Khupe further stated that Moyo phoned Mapfumo twice to follow up on the reward. He later visited Mapfumo’s residence with Ndlovu, demanding a total of USD 20 000, explaining that the amount was meant to compensate 20 councillors with USD 1,000 each.
“Ndlovu listed the names of the 20 councillors alleged to require the payment and left the list with the complainant. Feeling pressured by the persistent demands, Mapfumo reported the matter to ZACC. A trap was subsequently set, leading to the duo’s arrest,” Khupe said.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.
