HARARE – Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has been granted a $30 000 bail at the High Court following two weeks of incarceration for criminal abuse of office.
Mafume is being accused of allegedly parceling out land to his sister and secretary.
Mafume was arrested on 25 November and was denied bail at the Magistrates Court and has been languishing in prison since then. He was represented by Harrison Nkomo.
MDC Alliance party led by Nelson Chamisa immediately issued a statement alleging victimization of its officials.
“We reiterate that his (Mafume) detention and the refusal of bail in the first place were unconstitutional and a clear act of persecution. The weaponization of the law against MDC Alliance members must end,” said the opposition party in a statement.
The stands in question are believed to be in the western suburb of Westlea and a number of number councillors have been brought to book over stands in the same suburb, while others were arrested over stands in Kuwadzana.
Mafume is councilor for Ward 17 and was elected mayor in September following a recall of his predecessor Hebert Gomba by MDC-T party led by Thokozani Khupe.
Mafume was arrested by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) led by Thabani Mpofu on allegations that he influenced city directors to give stands to his sister and secretary.
