Harare – Zvimba Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer, Enias Chidhakwa, was on Friday acquitted of criminal abuse of office charges by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The state, represented by prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, had alleged that Chidhakwa violated the council’s transport policy by unlawfully using council vehicles and fuel for personal gain.
According to the prosecution, in September last year, Chidhakwa, who has served as Zvimba RDC CEO since 2020, embarked on a construction project at his private residence in Rainham.
It was alleged that he instructed council drivers to transport gravel and river sand to his construction site using council vehicles, without following the formal hiring procedures stipulated in the RDC’s transport policy.
The policy requires that any council vehicles or equipment used for personal purposes be hired at set rates.
Chidhakwa was accused of sidestepping this procedure and unlawfully authorising the release of 200 litres of diesel per truck, accumulating to a total of 1,000 litres valued at approximately US$1,500.
At the time of his initial court appearance, he was granted bail set at US$200.
In her ruling, magistrate Gofa found that the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and cleared Chidhakwa of all charges.
The acquittal brings to a close a case that had drawn attention over allegations of impropriety within local government administration.
Chidhakwa’s acquittal is expected to be welcomed by sections of the Zvimba community, although questions around accountability and enforcement of council policy may persist.
