Dexter Nduna Denied Bail Over Parking Fee Allegations

Dexter Nduna, a ZANU PF Central Committee member and former Chegutu West MP, was denied bail by the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court. Nduna, who was arrested last week, faces allegations of illegally collecting parking fees from motorists in Chegutu.

The 53-year-old appeared in court on October 15, 2024, where his bail request was rejected. He has been remanded in custody and is expected to return to court on October 29, 2024, for further proceedings.

The charges against Nduna stem from allegations that he falsely represented himself as an agent authorized by the Municipality of Chegutu to collect parking fees. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Nduna approached two motorists and informed them that he was collecting fees on behalf of the municipality, which led to his arrest after a report was filed with the authorities.

Nduna had initially appeared before the court on Saturday, October 12, facing fraud charges. The court, however, determined that he should remain in custody due to the gravity of the allegations. The former MP will now remain behind bars until his next court appearance.

The case has attracted significant attention due to Nduna’s position within the ZANU PF political structure. As a member of the Central Committee, Nduna holds a prominent role in the party, and his legal troubles have added a layer of public interest to the ongoing court proceedings.

In a related development, Nduna’s recent attempt to take over the management of parking in Harare was also met with failure. Nduna had announced plans for a group he leads, Team Chapter, to assume control of parking management in the capital city starting from October 7, 2024. The move was intended to replace City Parking (Private) Limited, the current operator responsible for managing parking in Harare.

However, the takeover did not proceed as expected. According to Nduna, the necessary due diligence had not been completed before making the public announcement. As a result, the transition to Team Chapter’s management did not materialize, and City Parking continues to oversee parking operations in Harare.

Nduna later acknowledged the mistake and apologized for the premature announcement. He admitted that the required procedures had not been followed and issued a public statement to clarify the situation. Despite this setback, the former MP has remained in the spotlight as his legal case continues.

In addition to his parking management endeavors, Nduna recently made headlines for his attendance at a University of Zimbabwe (UZ) graduation ceremony, despite not being among the official list of graduates. Nduna, who had been pursuing a Bachelor of Substantive Laws Degree, was seen seated among graduates at the ceremony, even though he had failed three courses necessary to complete the degree.

The courses Nduna failed include Energy and Mining Law, Labor Law, and Language Acquisition and Intercultural Communication Literacy, a course focused on the Chinese language. His attendance at the ceremony without graduating led to a public apology directed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In his apology, Nduna expressed regret for the confusion surrounding his presence at the graduation and acknowledged that he had not completed the necessary academic requirements. The apology was part of a broader effort to address the concerns raised following the incident.

Nduna’s legal and public challenges come at a time when Zimbabwe’s political landscape remains highly scrutinized. As a Central Committee member of ZANU PF, Nduna’s actions have drawn attention not only from the public but also from within political circles. His ongoing legal battle over the parking fee allegations will likely continue to be closely monitored in the coming weeks.

The case has also underscored the role of the judiciary in addressing issues involving high-profile individuals. While Nduna’s status within the ruling party adds a layer of complexity to the case, the court’s decision to deny him bail indicates that the legal process will proceed according to the established protocols.

As the case develops, the focus will remain on the evidence presented by the NPA and Nduna’s defense. The outcome of the case will be determined by the court, and Nduna’s next court appearance on October 29, 2024, will be a key moment in the ongoing proceedings.

In the meantime, the former MP remains in custody, awaiting the continuation of his trial. The allegations of fraud and the misrepresentation of his role in collecting parking fees have placed Nduna in a challenging legal position, and the court’s decision to keep him in custody reflects the seriousness of the charges.

As Zimbabwe’s legal system addresses this matter, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to legal procedures and the consequences that may follow when such procedures are not observed.

The Zim Bulletin