Vic Fall Mayor granted $50 000 bail

By a Correspondent
VICTORIA Fall Mayor Somveli Dlamini, arrested more than a month ago over alleged corruption, has been granted $50 000 bail by the High Court.
Since his arrest, Dlamini had been in custody after he was denied bail by a Hwange magistrate who said there was a likelihood that the mayor would interfere with evidence.
Dlamini, through his lawyer Givemore Mvhiringi, successfully applied for bail at the High Court.
Justice Maxwell Takuva ordered Dlamini to reside at his Victoria Falls home and not interfere with witnesses.
Dlamini was further ordered to report at Victoria Falls Police Station every Friday and surrender travel documents.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission swooped on Dlamini for fraudulently acquiring a commercial stand worth US$90 000.
Dlamini allegedly impersonated one Valentine Munyaradzi Maseko to purchase the stand as the mayor had previously benefitted from the scheme.
Court papers state that on 15 August 2022, Dlamini unlawfully and intentionally made a misrepresentation and purported to be Valentine Munyaradzi Maseko from whom he had in 2003 purchased Stand Number 1139 under the Wood Road Housing Scheme.
The court heard that Dlamini was supposed to pay a deposit of US$25 000. He paid US$10 000 and the balance was supposed to be paid within five days.
After failing to settle the balance, Dlamini allegedly paid $7, 5 million through a bank transfer.