ZACC Arrest Former Harare City Mayor Manyenyeni and ex-Acting Town Clerk Josphene Ncube For Criminal Abuse of Office
By Desire Tshuma
Former Mayor for Harare City Council Bernard Manyenyeni and ex-Acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube have been arrested on charges of criminal abuse of duty.
Allegations are that Manyenyeni and Ncube unlawfully amended a land development agreement between the City of Harare and Shelter Zimbabwe, costing the city an estimated $20 million in revenue.
Sometime in 2013, Harare City Council entered into an agreement authorising the development of 1 500 residential stands on 657 hectares in Tafara, Mabvuku, with Shelter Zimbabwe responsible for infrastructure.
Under the original terms, the Council was to allocate and sell the stands after servicing and reimburse Shelter Zimbabwe thereafter.
However, in 2017, Ncube and Manyenveni altered the agreement and authorised Shelter Zimbabwe to sell un-serviced stands.
Shelter Zimbabwe sold the stands but failed to develop the land and remit the money to the local authority.
The accused persons are set to appear at Harare Magistrate Court on April 16, 2025.
Manyenyeni served as the Mayor of Harare from 2013 to 2018 .In 2016, Manyenyeni was suspended and arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over allegations of criminal abuse of public office related to the appointment of James Mushore as Harare’s town clerk.
Josephine Ncube served as the Acting Town Clerk for Harare City Council. Her appointment and tenure were marked by controversy, particularly surrounding allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds .
Ncube faced suspension, along with three other council directors, for allegedly pampering themselves with generous benefits and allowances.
A government-sanctioned audit uncovered extravagant use of ratepayers’ money, including hefty bonuses and holiday allowances paid to top officials without proper documentation or council approval. Ncube was accused of receiving $40,000 as holiday allowance and $122,000 as performance bonus, despite no performance appraisal being done.
Ncube was among the candidates shortlisted for the Town Clerk position, with some sources tipping her to replace Dr. Tendai Mahachi. However, James Mushore was eventually appointed as the new Town Clerk.
