Ex-Midlands Provincial Governor convicted, remanded in custody for sentencing

Former Midlands Provincial Governor, Jason Machaya was yesterday convicted for abuse of office by a Gweru magistrate.

Machaya, together with former Midlands Provincial Physical Planner, Chisayinyerwa Chibururu, have been facing charges of abuse of office involving the sale of State land in Gokwe.

The two pleaded not guilty to the offence, but trial magistrate, Charity Maphosa, found them guilty and remanded them in custody for sentencing today.

Machaya, who is represented by lawyer Alec Muchadehama has been facing charges of abuse of office involving residential and commercial stands on State land in Gokwe totalling about 17 000 to some land developers, which the court argued was inconsistent with his duties.

The court proved that Machaya did not have any lawful responsibility to allocate State land to developers and entities, arguing it is the responsibility of the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.

Machaya further received 1 791 commonage stands from the said land developers and entities after which he parcelled out 1 185 of the commonage stands for different individuals.

Muchadehama submitted a letter from a medical doctor indicating that Machaya was not feeling well and could not stand court, but Maphosa said he was fit and would be sentenced, to today.

The value of stolen, money was put at $60 000. In the case of Chibururu, the court heard that he acted in connivance with Machaya.

Garudzo Ziyaduma prosecuted. -Herald