Staff Reporter
A warrant of arrest has been issued for the Harare City Council (HCC) director of works Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama who was expected to appear at the magistrates’ court today after being summoned over a Borrowdale property dispute.
Law enforcement agencies also want to interview him on a separate case.
The case is now set to resume for trial on April 26.
Sacu last week confirmed that Eng Chawatama had an outstanding case to answer on charges of criminal abuse of office.
According to court summons dated March 18, 2021, the director of works was supposed to appear at the Magistrates’ Courts today over a property dispute with a Borrowdale resident.
The court appearance was expected to reveal if Eng Chawatama has indeed been on the run after the council boss previously denied being in hiding.
Fresh details have also emerged on how Eng Chawatama was granted permission to travel to South Africa using a council vehicle.
Council documents dated March 27, 2021, reveal that Eng Chawatama is likely to have driven to the neighbouring country using a council vehicle, a Nissan NP300 registration number AAE 7176.
The council permission was signed by acting director of works Eng George Mutumhe, who allowed Eng Chawatama to travel to South Africa between March 22 and April 14.
It was not stated in the Council documents whether Eng Chawatama is planning to travel on municipal or personal business.
Eng Chawatama’s case has exposed chaos rocking the local authority as he has also been reporting for duty to sign important documents despite being on leave for the month of March.
He wrote a memorandum to the Chamber Secretary’s office on March 21, 2021 addressing the issue of reinstatement of Mr Gibson Moyo.
Reads part of Eng Chawatama’s memo:
“Reference is made to the memorandum dated 7 December 2020 addressed to your office and the letter from J Mambara and Partners dated 1 December 2020 and 16 March 2021. May you liaise with his lawyers regarding this issue.”
Chief security officer Dr Collen Tongowona is said to have recently declined to sign leave forms to pave way for investigations.
He has a pending court case where he is accused of criminal conduct over the sale of a stand in Marlborough.
In a letter dated March 21, 2021, the acting human capital director Mr Bozman Matengarufu complained about Dr Tongowona’s refusal to vacate office.
“The department took note of the contents of the letter dated 26 February 2021 in which you instructed Doctor Tongowona to proceed on paid leave effective 26 February 2021 to pave way for investigations pertaining to allegations of gross misconduct that are being levelled against him,” said Mr Matengarufu.
“Kindly take note that efforts to deliver the paid leave have not been fulfilled since Doctor Tongowona has suggested that the letter in question be referred back to the signatory.”