Former Harare Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi yesterday appeared in court on criminal abuse of office charges. Mahachi was allegedly involved in a scam that prejudiced the city of land valued at US$80 million.
He was denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who did not ask him to plead. He was remanded to December 6. In denying him bail, Mugwagwa said Mahachi could abscond or flee the country as he was facing serious charges and had another pending case at the High Court. She said there was a possibility that Mahachi could interfere with witnesses involved in the matter.
The court heard that on May 30, 2008, Mahachi together with then Chairperson of the Commission for the City of Harare, Michael Mahachi corruptly signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Augur Investments. The agreement was for the construction and upgrading of the then Airport Road at a cost of US$80 000 000. According to the agreement, Augur Investments was to fund the project in exchange for land from the City of Harare in lieu of work done on the road. The duo did not follow procedure outlined in the Urban Councils Act and did not invite competitive bids for the project. Tendai Mahachi is facing another charge before the High Court of awarding tenders worth $32 million to companies that did not participate in the bidding process.
More: Herald
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