Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Zimbabwe Speaker of the National Assembly Bemoans Lenient Corruption Punishments, Amidst Growing Scandals of Government Officials

April 26, 2022

Former Zimbabwean cabinet member, Prisca Mupfumira	Zimbabwean farmer, Edwin Wenga, was forced out of his farm be a government official.

 

Mudenda bemoans lenient corruption punishments

New Zimbabwe, 25th April 2022 

By Staff Reporter

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has described penalties meted out to those found guilty of corruption as too lenient and a major hindrance to the country’s anti-corruption drive.

Addressing a capacity-building workshop on corruption organised by the African Parliamentary Network against Corruption (APNAC) in Bulawayo last week, Mudenda said: “Zimbabwe’s sentencing regime of persons convicted of corruption is considered too lenient because of the option of a fine while lack of legislation governing conflict of interest for civil servants needs more scrutiny.

“I must commend Zacc (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Authority) and other anti-corruption agencies for the work they are doing to expose, combat and eradicate corruption and the abuse of power by those holding political and public office.”

Noting that sound laws and policies are critical to enable Zacc and the National prosecuting authority (NPA) to effectively execute their mandates Mudenda said: “However, Zacc has been found wanting in a number of areas which include the ‘catch and release’ as well as for the lack of ‘teeth’ to prosecute high profile figures allegedly caught up in corrupt activities.”

He applauded the Auditor-General (Mildred Chiri) for the sterling work she is doing without fear or favour, adding that the Judiciary should also be congratulated for establishing a special anti-corruption court for speedy adjudication of corruption cases.

Mudenda added that anti-corruption agencies needed the support of various public and private sector institutions and agencies as well as civil society organisations to effectively execute their mandates.

Turning to the oversight function of Parliament, Mudenda said: “As legislators you have a responsibility to ensure that institutions such as the Police Service, Zacc, the NPA and the Judiciary are supported with resources, both financial and human, to enable them to effectively discharge their mandates.

“This demonstrates that a lot of assets and resources can be recovered if Parliament can brutally push for the enactment of punitive anti-corruption laws in support of Zacc.”

Parliament has signed memoranda of understanding with Zacc and Transparency International Zimbabwe to demonstrate its willingness and commitment to collaborate on various platforms to ensure synergies towards effective legislation and oversight in the fight against the corruption scourge, Mudenda said.

Mudenda bemoans lenient corruption punishments - NewZimbabwe.com

Prisca Mupfumira seeks to halt corruption trial, berates magistrate

New Zimbabwe, 26th April 2022  

By Mary Taruvinga

CORRUPTION accused former cabinet minister, Prisca Mupfumira, is seeking the postponement of her trial and is blaming a Harare magistrate of formulating a case against her.

She is facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Mupfumira, is accused of abusing office in the process that led to the US$3,5 million property development deal between the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and Drawcard Enterprises.

She was jointly charged with Barnabas Matongera, who walked free at the close of the state’s case recently.

After he alleged accomplice was cleared, Mupfumira sought discharge, but magistrate Ngoni Nduna dismissed her application saying she has a case to answer.

Mupfumira now claims that Nduna erred in dismissing her application for discharge.

Nduna said it is clear that she did things which she should explain to the court.

“There is the coming in of Drawcard Enterprises Private Limited on board. The evidence of the state witnesses state that the accused called a meeting with Met bank to which Drawcard was then seen pitching up. The witnesses’ evidence if undisputed shows that there may be a case for accused 1 (Mupfumira) on the contracting of Draw Card,” Nduna said.

“A court does not convict those who did not appear before it. This is the sole reason why the court has not dealt much on the conduct of NSSA board in subverting tender procedures and participating as well in the contracting of Draw Card. No matter what the charge or where the trial is, the principle that the prosecution must prove the guilt of the prisoner is part of the common law of England and no attempt to whittle it down can be entertained.”

“An accused must not be called to defend nothing against her. A prima facie case must be made first. The evidence of state witness at its best suggests that Mupfumira participated in events that led to the hand picking of Drawcard Enterprises. In the absence of her evidence, that clearly would amount to a case. A prima facie case has been established and it ought to be answered,” he said.

Following this, the ex-minister has since filed an application for review at the High Court.

She is also seeking stay of proceedings awaiting the High Court ruling on her appeal.

Through her lawyer Admire Rubaya, Mupfumira said the state did not give evidence warranting a defence case.

“Asking the accused to proceed to trial is unfair and she viewed that she should have been acquitted at the end of the state case. We are seeking the postponement until the review application is determined,” Rubaya said.

The state, represented by Wisper Mabhaudhi, opposed the application saying the former cabinet minister must proceed to her defence.

The prosecutor said Mupfumira should have submitted reasonable ground that the matter be stayed but had failed to proffer any ground.

Mabhaudhi said the charge against Mupfumira was of giving specific instructions to Nssa management when she was not supposed to do that.

He further said Mupfumira acted contrary to her duty as a public officer.

Ruling is expected this Thursday.

Prisca Mupfumira seeks to halt corruption trial, berates magistrate - NewZimbabwe.com

Gvt official sucked into land allocation scandal

 New Zimbabwe, 25th April 2022  Zimbabwe Spread This News

By Paul Katanda

A 35-year-old farmer from Ward 14 Seke District claims he was unlawfully chased away from his 90-hectare Geluk Farm after a ministry of lands official fraudulently obtained offer letters for his plot.

The farm is located in Beatrice area along Mhondoro Road opposite former vice president, Joice Mujuru’s farm.

He currently has 300 boer goats, 60 sheep, 400 cattle, tractors, boreholes, broilers and the farm is also surrounded by a game fence.

The aggrieved, Edwin Wenga, argues he is the legal owner of the farm after it was allocated to him in 2016.

In addition to that, a schedule that was done in June 2021 recommended provincial office to follow up with the head office for final processing.

He says he is being driven off the land by lands ministry official Tichafa Dangarembwa.

He claims Dangarembwa did not follow any proceedings as he fraudulently obtained offer letters of a farm that belonged to someone else.

The actual procedure that is supposed to be followed starts at district level before it is escalated to the minister of lands, who then recommends one to go to obtain an offer letter from minister of lands and agriculture.

Wenga wrote a letter on March 5, 2022, to relevant officials challenging the sudden changes of ownership of the plot from him to Dangarembwa.

“It is on record that I followed the required procedure to be considered for allocation, but the official corruptly replaced my name at the last minute for his benefit,” the letter reads.

Gvt official sucked into land allocation scandal - NewZimbabwe.com

 

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends