MUTARE – Anthony Muatara who was suspended from the position of Mutare Acting Town Clerk, in September last year pending finalization of his criminal court case, has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended and fined Z$70,000 for criminal abuse of office.
Mutara would serve four months imprisonment if in default of payment of the $70 000 fine. 12 months were suspended for five years on condition Mutara does not commit similar offense
In delivering her sentence, Manicaland senior regional magistrate Pethukile Msipa noted that Mutara was a first offender and that the offense was committed during a period sound decisions would have been extremely difficult to make within the organisation.
Mutara was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission last year and alleged to have corruptly recruited Geanor Ndlovu by backdating the letter of appointment and forging the signature of the former Town Clerk, Joshua Maligwa, who is deceased, purporting that he had authorized the appointment whilst he was still employed by Council.
Anthony Mutara
