By Elvis Dumba
Zvimba – Enias Chidhakwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Zvimba Rural District Council (RDC), has been acquitted of criminal abuse of office charges by Harare Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
Chidhakwa, who has held the CEO position since 2020, was accused of violating council transport policies by allegedly using council vehicles and fuel for personal construction work at his private residence in Rainham.
The state alleged that Chidhakwa instructed council drivers to deliver gravel and river sand to his home without following the formal hiring procedures stipulated in the RDC’s transport policy.
According to the charges, council equipment and vehicles used for personal projects must be hired at approved rates, and Chidhakwa was further accused of authorizing the release of 1,000 litres of diesel, valued at approximately US$1,500, outside of these procedures.
However, in her ruling, Magistrate Gofa found that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in Chidhakwa’s acquittal.
The case had attracted public attention due to concerns over alleged impropriety within local government operations.
Chidhakwa had been released on US$200 bail following his initial court appearance. With the court’s decision, the matter is now officially closed.
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