The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
THE suspect who was arrested on charges of abuse of office and bribery has been dropped from a team dispatched to correct land allocation distortions in Makoni North, it has been learnt.
The Manica Post has established that the services of Gilbert Makuyana (53), who was nabbed for abuse of office after he allegedly demanded and pocketed a bribe from a desperate land seeker, have been withdrawn pending the outcome of his case.
Makuyana allegedly demanded $1 500 from Norbert Manditsera to facilitate land allocation.
He is out on $100.
He will be back in the dock together with Isador Marovha for trial.
The duo is being represented by Mr Taurai Khupe of Chigadza and Associates. Mr Khupe said his clients will enter a plea of not guilty.
Commenting on the matter, Makoni Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Edward Pise on Wednesday said the suspect was dropped pending the outcome of the case.
Mr Pise also revealed that the team was boosted by the inclusion of details from the police, the District Administrator’s office and the intelligence departments to enhance transparency.
“We have temporarily dropped him from the team on the ground. His fate in the district land identification and resettlement committee hinges on the outcome of the court case,” said Mr Pise.
The committee involves officials from the Ministry of Lands and Makoni Rural District Council.
It was deployed in Makoni North to correct anomalies created through the haphazard allocation of farmland by fugitive former Zanu-PF Ward 35 councillor James Munetsi.
The team was tasked to identify stands that could be regularised and put beneficiaries in the Makoni RDC system as well as issue eviction orders to squatters illegally settled in vleis, waterways, mountains and pastures.
Munetsi’s conduct is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Rusape.
The tightening of screws follows an order for the arrest of Munetsi by the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, on allegations of illegal land dealings.
Dr Mombeshora argued that Munetsi abused the name of his ministry by illegally allocating land and asking people to pay for it.
The minister warned people against paying for any land allocations.
The declaration follows reports that about 240 land-hungry people, including those in the Diaspora, were duped an estimated US$200 000, by former Ward 35 representative in Makoni Rural District Council. The cancer was rife in Mayo, Nyamazira, Mutiwegora and Rusununguko business centres.
Among those swindled are members of the Faith in God Ministries, Seventh Day Adventist Church, local farmers and those in the Diaspora, who were made to believe they would be proud owners of business stands, plots, grinding mill stands, flea market stalls and farms if they paid up-front.
They were made to pay between $20 and $1 500 to cater for application, ledger, pegging and yearly taxes.
No receipts were issued and the money estimated at $200 000 was not remitted to Makoni RDC.
Munetsi is reported to be on the run.
