Harare Councillor Blessing Duma Arressted on Extortion Charges
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Blessing Duma, the Harare Ward 29 Councillor, on charges of extortion.
Duma, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Harare City Council Audit Committee, is accused of abusing his position to pressure the Director of Housing and Community Services, Admore Nhekairo, into signing allocation letters for two unserviced residential stands in Mabelreign.
According to ZACC’s statement, Duma allegedly coerced Nhekairo, threatening him with adverse action from the Audit Committee if he refused to comply.
The statement details that the allocation letters were intended for two individuals, Welter Chigwereva and Danai Dzawanda.
Duma is set to appear before the Harare Magistrate Court on Thursday. His arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of governance practices within the Harare City Council, following the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry aimed at investigating various governance issues.
Harare Councillor Blessing Duma Arressted on Extortion Charges
Councillor Duma has been very vocal exposing several malpractices and shady deals carried out by council officials and other councillors in the Jacob Mafume-led Harare City Council.
The Commission will focus on several critical areas, including the management, sale, or lease of council properties to private entities, financial oversight of revenue generated through special vehicles, the conduct of council meetings, adherence to procurement laws, and compliance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
7 Harare Councillors in Court Over Stands Scandals
As investigations unfold, this case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within local governance structures in Zimbabwe.
