A Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officer is in trouble with the law, after he was arrested for allegedly releasing three commuter omnibuses which were impounded, for a reward of $70, last month.
PATIENCE RATAMBWA OWN CORRESPONDENT
The accused, 42-year-old Rueben Chigundura appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa facing charges of contravening Section 174 1(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act 9.23, the criminal abuse of office as a public officer.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody on $150 bail and was ordered to report to CID Law and Order once every week until the commencement of his trial on November 28.
Prosecuting, Denmore Kusenza told the court that on October 18, Johannes Siwela, a kombi owner, went to VID Bulawayo to facilitate the release of three of his Toyota Hiace commuter omnibuses that were impounded earlier that month for carrying passengers without operators’ licence and passenger insurance.
Finding the accused Chigundura on duty, Siwela negotiated that he would give him $70 as a sign of appreciation for the release of the three vehicles.
Exavier Dzimba, the complainant, an official at the Transport and Infrastructure Development ministry investigated the release of the three cars and discovered they had been corruptly released.
A report to the police led to Chigundura’s arrest.
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Chigundura is alleged to have acted contrary to and inconsistent with his duties as public officer, and is set to take the stand on November 28, where he is going to defend himself.
