The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of Chegutu Municipality Town Clerk Jacob Chikuruwo, in connection with the irregular sale of five hectares of municipal land to Flying Pot Private Limited.
Chikuruwo is now facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty, or alternatively, fraud.
According to allegations, between 2011 and 2013, Chikuruwo, who at the time was serving as the Chegutu Municipality’s Chamber Secretary, failed in his professional duty to properly advise the council on the correct legal procedures required before selling the land to Edward Pfugare’s company, Flying Pot Pvt Limited.
It is alleged that he did not advise the Council to advertise the sale, nor did he guide them to seek the mandatory change of land use from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
As a result, the parcel of land was sold without following due process.
The history of the property dates back to 1994, when Pfugare initially entered into a 99-year lease agreement with Chegutu Municipality for the development of a restaurant and recreational facilities on a 12.3-hectare stand.
However, between 2010 and 2012, the Chegutu Municipality entered into negotiations with Pfugare to subdivide the leased property and sell him a portion measuring 5.1 hectares.
A resolution was eventually made by the local authority on 15 August, 2012, to sell the excised portion to Pfugare for the sum of USD 561 000.
The investigation, however, established that the late businessman had already paid a deposit of USD 50 000 for the land in question, before the council resolution had even been passed.
Chikuruwo appeared before Chegutu Magistrate Sharon Mashavira and was remanded to 4 September 2026, on US$100 bail.
Abigirl Fana prosecuted for the State.