INSIZA Rural District Council Daniel Konopo Mpofu yesterday denied corruption charges levelled against him by a Bulawayo land developer saying he never received a bribe to facilitate awarding of a housing development tender.
BY SILAS NKALA
N and S Properties director Nicholas Masuku reported Mpofu to the police claiming he demanded cash and goods worth $1 065 as a bribe to facilitate the alleged deal.
Mpofu (68) told Bulawayo magistrate Merilyn Mutshina that he never promised any tender to Masuku but he admitted that they at some point talked about him offering development services to the council if granted approval by the local authority.
He said it would appear Masuku wanted to bribe him but he never collected anything from him.
The magistrate remanded the matter to July 27 for judgment.
Insiza Council chief executive officer Fedris Manhombe on Monday told the court that he was not aware of the alleged tender between N and S Properties and his council.
Prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza told the court that between July 2 2014 and May 6 2015, Mpofu solicited for assistance from Masuku on behalf of Insiza Rural District Council promising that they would be partners in a land development project in Filabusi.
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Mpofu allegedly received $470 and a truck head cylinder from Masuku for favours so that he could assist the land developer to get housing stands.
Masuku allegedly converted the money and the cylinder head to his own use.
Masuku said he pursued the deal after making payments, but Mpofu allegedly became evasive.
“In addition, he referred us to Gwanda for tenders,” Masuku said.
Mpofu claimed the complainant reported him to the police because he had unearthed a land scandal involving Masuku’s children and relatives. Masuku denied having relatives or children in Insiza where he owns a farm.
