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Wynne Zanamwe, Midlands Reporter
A Gweru councillor who was suspended for corruption last year, has been arrested for abuse of public office.

Ernest Guduza (57) who resides at Mkoba 14 in Gweru appeared before Gweru Magistrate Ms Mildred Matuvi facing one count of theft of trust property and another of criminal abuse of duty.

Ms Matuvi did not ask Guduza to plead and remanded him out of custody on $50 bail to October 12.

Prosecuting, Mr Peason Muringani told the court that from December 2013 to August 2014 in Mkoba 14 Suburb, Gweru, Guduza let out a council club house to a resident before receiving $720.  He allegedly stole $377 from the amount.

The court heard that in June last year, in the same suburb, Guduza received $100 from another resident as rental fees for the club house.  He allegedly converted the money to his own use.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere suspended Guduza together with 13 other councillors including Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi and his deputy Artwell Manyorauta on allegations of gross misconduct, incompetence and mismanagement of council funds and affairs, in August last year.

The High Court ordered the minister to reinstate the councillors and the case is still in the courts.

@wynnezane.