Harare town clerk granted 50k Bail

By Daniel Kachere

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna has granted Harare City town clerk Hosiah Chisango Z$50 000 bail on charges of criminal abuse of office or alternatively contravening section 4(a) and 14 (2)(b and c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 9:16.
Chisango was ordered to stay at least 100 metres away from council offices and not to interfere with witnesses.
He is to report every last Wednesday of the month at Rhodesville Police Station and not attempt to get his travel documents from the clerk of court where they are held over another pending matter.
Chisango allegedly unlawfully directed council’s Public Safety Division (PSD) through a memorandum, to report to him directly and disregard normal procedure which required them to report to the chamber secretary.
The State led by Michael Reza assisted by Lancelot Mutsokoti argued that the directive was supposed to have been issued after seeking authority from council.
Chisango is said to have designed the new reporting structure to favour himself as he wanted to assume control of the department behind the investigations of dubious land deals by the city’s executives, charges he is also facing.
On the 13th of January this year Chisango reportedly suspended Tarisai Chiendambuya, chief superintendent and head of investigations, through a letter served by Geoffrey Manyere whom he had appointed as acting chief security officer despite the incumbent Collen Tongoona being still in office.
In so doing, Chisango is alleged to have stifled or frustrated the on-going investigations over corrupt parcelling out of land belonging to the City of Harare.
Chief Inspector Sibanda who is investigating the case opposed bail citing that Chisango had pending cases before the court and might use his means and influence to evade justice since the offence carried a lengthy custodial sentence.
Sibanda further added that Chisango could use his position in council to interfere with witnesses as he is on a drive to suspend Municipal police officers assisting the police with investigations against him. Nhau/Indaba