Story by Fungai Jachi
CHIREDZI Town Council Chairperson Jamson Charumbira has appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer over the alleged irregular promotion of two council employees.
Prosecutors allege that the two employees were promoted into newly created managerial posts without the positions being advertised, recommendations from the relevant heads of department, or a competitive recruitment process, contrary to council policy.
Charumbira is also accused of using his office to influence approval of the promotions despite objections from the human resources department, the internal auditor and some councillors.
The State alleges that between December 2025 and April 2026, Charumbira connived with Acting Town Secretary Consider Kubiku, who is also on remand facing similar charges, to facilitate the promotions.
The alleged actions are said to have resulted in the irregular expenditure of public funds through higher salary grades awarded to the promoted employees.
Charumbira appeared before Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu, who granted him US$500 bail and remanded the matter to August 13.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested both Charumbira and Kubiku.
