By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Three individuals, including two Hurungwe Rural District Council officials, have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing nearly US$18,000 meant for community projects.
Hurungwe RDC Engineer Romeo Mupamaonde, his assistant Alfred Makama, and Batsirayi Nyamayaro, director of Anstand Investments, were convicted of diverting funds intended for the Chehoko Causeway bridge in 2022.
The court suspended three years of their sentences for five years if they behave well. Anstand Investments was also fined US$5,000; failure to pay could lead to property seizures.
The arrests, made in 2023 by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, also involved Hurungwe RDC CEO Luke Kalavina, who was acquitted of related charges but remains in custody for other cases.
This case highlights Zimbabwe’s ongoing fight against corruption in public office.