HARARE, Zimbabwe – The recent acquittal of Harare Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango in a high-profile US$9 million fraud case has led to widespread criticism. The decision, which followed the dropping of charges against Chisango and several other local officials, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption efforts.
In a ruling handed down last week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped charges against Chisango, supply chain manager Denford Zhungu, principal accountant Never Murerwa, engineering technician Tawanda Mutenhabundo, and principal contracts administrator Artkins Mandaza. The sole individual indicted in the case was Jabulani Mukomazi, the principal buyer.
The case centered around a controversial tender awarded to Julika End Joint Venture (Pvt) Ltd, a company linked to businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, both of whom are currently imprisoned. Despite being disqualified from bidding, they were awarded the US$9 million street lighting tender after allegedly misrepresenting facts in their application.
The acquittal has been particularly contentious due to Chisango’s role as the Town Clerk, a position responsible for procurement processes in local authorities. Critics argue that Chisango, as the key decision-maker, should have been held accountable for any irregularities, while the principal buyer alone faces charges.
A source within the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) expressed disappointment, stating, “The Town Clerk or CEO of a local authority is solely responsible for procurement within any public entity. In this case, Chisango should have been held accountable. Instead, the principal buyer is left facing charges, while Chisango walks free.”
The decision has also raised questions about the impartiality of the judiciary, particularly regarding Public Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi, who has handled several high-profile corruption cases. Critics argue that despite compelling evidence against Chisango, the case was dismissed, prompting concerns about the fairness of the judicial system.
“The same judge who granted bail in the Julika case, Judge Kwenda, presided over this matter, allowing Chisango to go free,” the ZACC source added. “This raises serious concerns about the integrity of our judicial system.”
The acquittal has reignited accusations of a “catch and release” culture within Zimbabwe’s law enforcement, where high-ranking officials arrested for corruption are often released by the courts, tarnishing the reputation of anti-corruption bodies like the ZACC. The NPA has been criticized for its role in the low conviction rate of corruption cases, with many attributing weak prosecutions and judicial decisions to the lack of convictions.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, who had previously suspended Chisango over allegations of misconduct, has not publicly commented on the acquittal. However, the decision has drawn strong criticism from residents and civil society organizations who view it as a setback in the fight against corruption.
A representative from a local transparency group stated, “The dismissal of this case is a glaring example of the compromised state of our judiciary and the lack of accountability in Harare’s procurement processes. If those in power are not held accountable, corruption will continue to thrive.”
As the controversy continues to unfold, many Zimbabweans are left questioning whether the country’s anti-corruption institutions can deliver justice or if systemic failures will continue to undermine the fight against graft. The outcome of the Chisango case is seen as a critical test of the government’s commitment to restoring public trust and tackling corruption.
