Dexter Nduna, the head of mobilisation for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU PF), has been remanded in custody amid serious fraud allegations despite issuing an apology to authorities.
The former legislator for Chegutu West appeared before the Chegutu Magistrates Court, where he faced accusations that could tarnish his political career and reputation.
Represented by Unite Saizi from Saizi Law Chambers, Nduna’s court appearance marked a significant moment as the prosecution laid out their case.
Prosecutor Tafadzwa Vhore detailed the allegations against Nduna, who stands accused of fraudulent activity related to the collection of vehicle parking fees in Chegutu.
According to Vhore, Nduna allegedly misled motorists into believing that his company, Team Chapter, had acquired the rights to collect parking fees on behalf of the local municipality.
The prosecutor explained that Nduna made false representations to motorists, asserting that the cash collected was for parking fees owed to the Chegutu municipality.
As a result, innocent drivers were duped into handing over their hard-earned money, believing they were fulfilling their payment obligations to the local authorities.
ALSO READ: Dexter Nduna apologizes to President Mnangagwa for faking law degree
“The accused person made a representation to cause…. to act upon the misrepresentation to his prejudice by making false demands on behalf of Chegutu municipality,” Vhore stated.
Compounding the situation, Nduna’s enterprise, Team Chapter, has reportedly been attempting to engage with various local authorities across Zimbabwe, aiming to take over parking management responsibilities.
However, rather than fostering legitimate business practices, Nduna is accused of preying on unemployed youths, enticing them into parting with money under the pretense of training and recruitment as vehicle parking marshals.
In the wake of these allegations, Nduna has faced backlash not only from the public but also from his political party. Just last week, he issued a public apology after a reprimand from senior ZANU PF officials and the police.
His apology extended to the nation’s leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as Nduna sought to mitigate the damage caused by his recent actions.
This public relations crisis was exacerbated by a controversial incident at a graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe, where Nduna was photographed candidly among law graduates, despite not holding a law degree himself. This display raised eyebrows and deepened scrutiny on his integrity as a political figure.
As Nduna’s bail hearing awaits, scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday, the implications of these charges loom large, not just for his personal future but also for ZANU PF amid a climate of increasing political tension and public scrutiny.
