The deputy head of Zengeza 4 High School, Patricia Mwaruta, has appeared before the Harare Magistrate’s Court on charges of soliciting a US$400 bribe from a contractor hired to drill the school’s borehole.
Mwaruta, aged 51, was granted bail set at US$150 and is scheduled to return to court on March 13, as ruled by Harare regional magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa.
According to prosecutor Mr. Lancelot Mutsokoti, representing the state, the School Development Committee at Zengeza 4 High School was in the process of obtaining quotations for the installation of a borehole, a solar-powered system, a 5000-litre water tank, and a 4-metre tank stand.
On January 9, the complainant, representing his company, submitted a proposal for the project.
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Two weeks later, Mwaruta contacted him for an interview, during which she allegedly informed him that his quotation had been approved.
The project, valued at around US$4,600, commenced under his supervision. On February 4, the contractor received an initial payment of US$1,500 and began drilling.
After reaching a depth of 60 meters, he requested the remaining balance of US$1,270 to finalise the work.
At this point, Mwaruta allegedly demanded a bribe of US$400, threatening to terminate the contract if he refused.
The contractor reported the incident to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, leading to Mwaruta’s arrest after she accepted a US$200 bribe from him.
