Catch and Release: The Controversial Dismissal of Hosiah Chisango’s Corruption Case

By Tendai Munemo

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s legal and political circles, the case against former Harare Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango has been dismissed, leaving citizens and legal experts alike questioning the integrity of the judiciary and the transparency of procurement processes within the City of Harare.

The dismissal of this high-profile case has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising serious concerns about accountability, corruption, and the rule of law in the nation’s capital.

At the heart of the matter lies the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (PPDPA), which clearly outlines the responsibilities of public officials in procurement processes. Section 14 of the PPDPA Act designates the Accounting Officer—typically the Town Clerk or CEO of a local authority—as the sole individual responsible for procurement within any public entity. In this case, Hosiah Chisango, as the former Town Clerk, should have been held accountable for any irregularities in the procurement process. Yet, in a baffling twist, the principal buyer has been left to face criminal charges while Chisango walks free.

The Scope Change and Award Letters: A Web of Questions

One of the most glaring unanswered questions is: if the principal buyer was solely responsible for procurement, who authorized the change in the scope of the eight awarded lots? If the request came from the Accounting Officer—Chisango