ZACC Strikes Town House: Deputy Mayor and Ex-MP Arrested in Massive Land Scam
Topic: Corruption Crackdown | Location: Harare, Zimbabwe | Source: ZACC / The Herald
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has intensified its operation against municipal graft, confirming the arrest of Harare Deputy Mayor Rosemary Muronda and former Harare South legislator Shadreck Mashayamombe. The arrests are linked to a high-profile investigation into the illegal sale and allocation of council land.
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| Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume |
While social media was awash with reports that Mayor Jacob Mafume was also detained, ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza clarified that the Mayor was questioned and released, though the investigation remains active.
The ZACC Operation
In a coordinated move late yesterday, ZACC investigators swooped on targets linked to alleged land syndicates. The operation resulted in the immediate detention of:
- Rosemary Muronda: The sitting Deputy Mayor of Harare.
- Shadreck Mashayamombe: A prominent former legislator for Harare South.
According to ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza, the arrests are part of a broader strategy to dismantle "land barons" operating within and outside the local authority.
Breakdown of Allegations
ZACC has outlined specific charges for the accused, centering on the fraudulent disposal of municipal assets:
Shadreck Mashayamombe
Charge: Fraud. The former MP is accused of orchestrating illegal land sales, allegedly misrepresenting land ownership to unsuspecting home seekers.
Cllr Rosemary Muronda
Charge: Criminal Abuse of Office. The Deputy Mayor allegedly used her influential position at Town House to facilitate irregular transactions.
Suspects At Large
Two Senior Officials: ZACC confirmed that the net is closing in on two other high-ranking council officials currently evading arrest.
Clarification on Mayor Mafume
Confusion reigned yesterday as initial reports suggested Mayor Jacob Mafume was in custody. However, he was seen conducting business at his office shortly after the rumors surfaced.
ZACC's Official Stance: Commissioner Paradza set the record straight:
"We invited him for questioning. This means the mayor at this stage is not under arrest. He was called in and allowed to go home. Having said that, investigations are currently in progress."
The War on Land Barons
These arrests mark a significant escalation in the government's crackdown on illegal land deals in the capital. The "Land Baron" phenomenon has seen public land sold illegally to desperate home seekers, often resulting in demolitions of homes built on wetlands or undesignated areas.
ZACC has warned that "no one is above the law" and urged the public to report any suspicious land offers directly to the commission.
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