MDC-T councillor Johanes Ngozo who was arrested last Monday will spend at least another seven days in remand prison after the State invoked section 121 of the Criminal and Evidence Procedure Act, immediately after the councillor, facing charges of fraud and corruption, had been granted bail.
Provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe granted Ngozo $500 bail with conditions that include reporting once every week at Mbizo Police Station, residing at his given address and not interfering with witnesses.
In passing judgment on the bail application, the magistrate said the court did not see how Ngozo’s release would jeopardise the administration of justice in the land scam case.
However, the State, holding three new cases against Ngozo, which brings to $13 000 the money he is alleged to have swindled home seekers, invoked section 121 to send the councillor back to remand prison for the next seven days.
Meanwhile, MDC-T Mbizo chairman Adam Machisvo, deputised by the embattled Ngozo, said the district had suspended Ngozo pending finalisation of the matter. He said the party was worried about the allegations levelled against the civic leader.
“We don’t condone corruption as a party and we will not tolerate such acts in our structures. We await court process to end before we take action, but while that is happening, Ngozo will not be part of our activities,” said Machisvo.
Mayor Shadreck Tobaiwa, who at first appeared determined to act on the allegations against Ngozo, said during a full council meeting last Thursday, action would only be taken after a court ruling on the matter.
An internal probe into the stands scandal which Audit Committee chairman Aaron Gwalazimba was pushing for, has also been suspended for the meantime.
