The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
THE trial of Chipinge town secretary, Dr Susan Dube, failed to continue yesterday due to the absence of two key witnesses.
The State was supposed to close its case, but the matter was rolled over to July 29 after the investigations officers could not make it from Mutare.
State prosecutor, Mr Thulani Zondwayo, said the trial could not continue because the two key witnesses were not feeling well.
“Your Worship, the matter could not continue because the two witnesses did not show up on medical grounds. The pair from the police’s Anti-Corruption Unit is in self isolation in Mutare. I propose that the matter be postponed to July 29 for continuation of trial,” he said.
Presiding magistrate, Mr Elizabeth Hanzi. deferred the matter to July 29.
Dube is facing two counts of theft and criminal abuse of office.
She is currently suspended by the council pending the finalisation of the cases.
Allegations are that Dube applied to have domestic water connected to her plot from Chipinge Town Council.
In January 2020, the application was approved by council on condition that Dube supplied her own water connection material as well as pay for the labour.
Soon after the approval of the application, Dube, working in cahoots with one Mwakachiyi, took 71X32mm PVC pipes valued at US$639 from Chipinge Town Council’s storeroom and used them to connect water from the main line at Chipinge Farm Prison.
Dube is out of custody on $20 000 bail.
She is also alleged to have parcelled out a residential stand to an undeserving intern.
