Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Opposes Extension of Remand in Corruption Case
Story By Staff Reporter
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Nndlovu and two co-accused are expected to appear in court today for a remand hearing in the ongoing corruption case against them. The defence is opposing a request by the state to extend their remand.
The Allegations
The three accused are alleged to have extorted US$52,000 from a businessman in connection with a 50-year lease for a hotel development. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the accused are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.
What the Prosecution Wants
Prosecutors have asked the court to extend the remand period. They say they need more time to complete a digital forensic analysis of mobile phones seized from the accused. Such examinations can take time because investigators must extract and review data from the devices before it can be considered as evidence.
The Defence Position
The defence has objected to the application. It argues against further remand on the basis of the delays in the forensic work. A remand extension keeps the accused under the court’s conditions while the state completes its investigation, so the defence is pushing back on the state’s request for additional time.
What Happens Next
The presiding magistrate is expected to rule on whether the accused will:
- remain on formal remand while the state finishes its investigation, or
- be removed from remand pending trial.
A decision to remove the accused from remand would not end the case or amount to an acquittal. It would only change the procedural status of the matter.
Why This Case Matters to Residents
The case involves a senior city official and a long-term lease on a development in Bulawayo, so it has drawn public interest around transparency in local government and land and property deals. We will update this article as the court’s ruling and other developments become available.
This article is based on information available at the time of publication.
