Chitungwiza resident magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo dismissed Chitungwiza mayor Phillip Mutoti’s application for discharge on allegations of fraud or alternatively criminal abuse of duty, he acquitted fired town clerk, George Makunde, who was also facing the same charges. Former housing director for Chitungwiza, Kennedy Dube, had his application for discharge dismissed.
Mutoti and Dube were remanded to November 9. Mutoti’s son Nathan was given a stand and listed as self-employed and was lodging at number 343 ST Mary’s in Chitungwiza. Said Magitrate Mapfumo:
He (Nathan) was allocated stand number 26008 in Unit C, Chitungwiza. The lodgers’ card which was produced in court as exhibit number one shows that Nathan Mutoti was self-employed and was lodging at number 343 ST Mary’s in Chitungwiza.
There is no way a three-year-old can be self-employed or be allocated a residential stand. The facts which were provided on behalf of Mutoti’s son showed that there was never in any way it was indicated that the State allocated a stand to someone else on behalf of Nathan. “His office is one that falls under the Ministry of Local Government (Public Works and National Housing) and, therefore, treated to be well acquainted to the policies governing State land.
As far as the court is concerned, the first accused person (Phillip Mutoti) has a case to answer. The information on Nathan Mutoti is misleading to council. There is need for the accused person to explain that he did not abuse his position as the mayor.
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