Harare Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore and City of Harare District Officer Jane Gambizah have been granted US$200 bail each over allegations that they facilitated the construction of illegal shops on council land in Mabelreign.
The two appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Ignatio Mhene facing criminal abuse of office charges.
They were remanded to November 11, 2026, to allow for further investigations.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that the complainant is the City of Harare, represented by Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume.
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The State alleges that in 2025, Ngadziore and Gambizah hatched a plan to facilitate the construction of shops on council land behind the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company offices in Mabelreign without the required approvals.
In December 2025, Gambizah allegedly introduced Cartin Mark Up Investments director Fasten Manyika to Ngadziore. The three later visited the proposed site, where construction allegedly began without approved building plans or a council resolution.
Manyika allegedly mobilised resources to build markets and tuck-shops after the accused assured him that the necessary paperwork would be processed once construction had started.
Investigations reportedly established that the land is designated for open space, recreation and public parking under Mabelreign Local Development Plan Number 20.
The State alleges that the two officials facilitated the development despite knowing that the required council procedures had not been followed.
Gambizah also allegedly began receiving applications from prospective tenants before construction was completed.
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