Harare Deputy Mayor and Former MP arrested in Land Fraud scandal

Wilma Mavhengere

Harare deputy mayor, Councillor Rosemary Muronda and former Harare South Member of Parliament, have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission following the allegations of land fraud.

This was confirmed in a statement by ZACC yesterday.

ZACC dismissed yesterday’s swirling rumours that Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume had been arrested, clarifying he was only invited for questioning and later released.

In an interview yesterday, ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza also confirmed the arrests.

“Yes, we arrested Mashayamombe, but as for the mayor, we only invited him for questioning.

This means the mayor, at this stage, is not under arrest. Having said that, investigations are currently in progress,” he said.

Mashayamombe is being charged with fraud, whilst Councillor Muronda has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office.

The arrests are linked to a suspected fraud ring that allegedly sold City of Harare land, dragging several top council officials into the scandal.

Comm Paradza added that two senior City of Harare officials tied to the case remain at large, though investigators are tightening the net around them.

Councillor Muronda and Mashayamombe are set to appear in court shortly.