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By Rutendo Mapfumo
Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube has been granted bail by the Hwange Magistrate’s court, it has been established.
Hwange Provincial Magistrate, Ms Gladmore Mushove released him on $50 000 bail with conditions.
Dube (54) will appear in court on the June 10, 2021 for the continuation of his trial after he was arrested last week on alleged criminal abuse of office charges.
He was represented by his lawyer Matshobana Ncube of Ncube and Partners assisted by Nomusa Khumalo of Mvhiringi and Partners.
The state led by public prosecutor in charge of Matabeleland North, Martha Cheda assisted by Memory Munsaka, opposed the bail application arguing that Dube was a flight risk, who could interfere with witnesses and tamper with evidence.
According to the prosecutors, on September 28, 2017, Dube received a request to purchase additional land behind stands 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386 and 943 from Mr Ntokozo Mlilo, who is group human resources manager for Shearwater Adventures in Victoria Falls.
He allegedly caused valuation of the stands by Backstone Properties who responded on February 11, 2019.
Prosecutors further told the court that Dube misrepresented to Victoria Falls’ ordinary full council meeting that one applicant, Shearwater Adventures, had expressed interest in commercial stand number 1782 yet there were other companies that had also expressed interest such as Wild Horizons.
Council adopted the report and resolved to offer the stand to Shearwater Adventures without following tender procedures.
It is alleged that council had a resolution passed on April 1, 2014 which required that commercial stands be sold on tender.
“Dube, in the exercise of his duties or function as such intentionally influenced council through his report to sell a commercial stand number 1782 without following tender procedures which was contrary or inconsistent with his duty as a public officer,” said Cheda.
Controversy surrounded Dube as prior to his arrest; he was suspended without pay and benefits by the city’s mayor Councillor Somvelo Dlamini. Indaba
