A 52-year-old councillor from Epworth, Nobody Makoni, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for criminal abuse of duty.
Makoni was found guilty on two counts of criminal abuse of duty and sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment, with 10 months suspended for five years. This means he will serve an effective 30 months behind bars.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in 2024, a 26-year-old informant sold his residential stand to Monica Chibvura and planned to transfer ownership at the Epworth Local Board offices.
Makoni, who serves as the councillor for Ward 6 in Epworth, met the informant outside the council offices and offered to facilitate the ownership transfer, and demanded US$450 for the service.
When the informant later sought clarification at the Epworth Local Board, it was confirmed that Makoni had no authority to oversee such processes, making his demands unlawful.
In a similar case, Makoni demanded US$100 from a 66-year-old informant to assist with the transfer of ownership of her stand, which she had purchased from the same informant at the Epworth Local Board office.
Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that Makoni had falsely implied he had authority over the transaction.
The NPA asserted that Makoni’s actions were inconsistent with his duties as a public officer and constituted criminal abuse of duty.
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