Losing parliamentary candidate in court over land

Zim Now Writer

An aspiring Member of Parliament candidate for Kambuzuma Constituency, who lost in the harmonised elections, has appeared before the court accused of illegally possessing land.

Oscar Nyamunokora, 53, of Aspindale Park in Chitungwiza, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing corruption charges.

The complainant is Shepherd Tonderai Mawire, 56, employed at City of Harare as Dzivaresekwa District Officer.

The State, through prosecutor Pardon Dziva, alleges that sometime in November 2022, Mawire was informed by some of the residents in Kuwadzana Phase 3, that a stand with a plan reference TPX 1083 in Kuwadzana Phase 3, which is reserved for school development, was being illegally developed for residential stands.

Mawire visited the area to ascertain the nature of developments which were being undertaken at the site and discovered that there were sewage and water trenches dug at the site.

He was also informed that Nyamunokora was the one spearheading the developments.

Mawire called him demanding requisite documents in relation to the developments in line with his duties as the Dzivaresekwa District Officer.

Although he produced water and sewer reticulation designs, Mawire was not satisfied with this and further requested proof of ownership.

While Mawire was waiting for the production of the allocation letter, he received another report against Nyamunokora involving the unlawful developments of residential stands in Claudina Area planned under the City of Harare General Plan of stands 2224 -2296 Glaudina Township.

Again, Mawire requested all relevant documents allowing him to carry out developments at the mentioned sites.

Nyamunokora was infuriated by the demands made by Mawire such that he insulted him over the phone.

He later visited his office where he promised to take unspecified action against Mawire.

Nyamunokora continued to threaten to Mawire, instilling fear in him.

This caused him to feel endangered in executing his duties as the Harare City Council District Officer for Dzivaresekwa.

On August 15, 2023 a report of invasion of the council land on the mentioned sites was made to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

On August 17, 2023, Mawire as the District Officer of Dzivaresekwa District Office was summoned by officers from Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to show them areas which were being invaded by Nyamunokora.

Mawire showed them the sites.

When Nyamunokora heard that Mawire had been interviewed by ZACC officers, he called and threatened him, accusing him of working in complicity with ZACC to interfere in his activities.

He went on to say he was powerful and would bring severe punishment on him for daring to obstruct his activities.

In his verbal tirade he ranted that he would cause the removal of Mawire from the office as District Officer in Dzivaresekwa.

On August 17, 2023, Nyamunokora visited Dzivarasekwa District Office to confront Mawire, but he was not in the office.

He confronted one Tapiwa Trevor Chaire, Housing Officer, Dzivaresekwa furiously demanding to know the whereabouts of Mawire.

He ranted that Mawire was the one behind his investigation by ZACC and swore that he would ensure that Mawire be transferred from Dzivaresekwa District Office.

Unnerved by these threats, Mawire reported this conduct to ZACC.

Investigations were conducted, leading to Nyamunokora’s arrest on September 11, 2023.

The threats instilled by Nyamunokora on Mawire, allegedly aimed to hinder or obstruct the unearthing of corrupt practices he undertook.

Nyamunokora was ordered to appear in court on September 14, for bail application.