HARARE - Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chief executive Ngonidzashe Gumbo will remain in custody despite being granted bail by Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei yesterday.

Ndirowei had freed Gumbo on $1 000 bail but prosecutor Michael Reza appealed against the decision and invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Gumbo will remain in custody until April 8 if the State manages to successfully push through its appeal.

Section 121 automatically overrides a magistrate’s bail ruling and gives the State seven working days within which to file an appeal.

Ndirowei had said there were no reasons for Gumbo’s continued incarceration.

The court heard that Gumbo, on behalf of Zacc, approached the Home Affairs ministry seeking accommodation after the body’s former landlord served an eviction notice.

He managed to get premises in Harare’s Mount Pleasant suburb.

According to court papers, government deposited $1,7 million into a Zacc bank account after Gumbo had allegedly requested for $1 680 million for the purchase of the premises.

It is the State’s case that Gumbo allegedly instructed Zacc officials Sukai Tongogara, Christopher Chisango, Edwin Mubataripi and Gibson Mangwiro to form a shelf company called Property Mortgage in which they were directors with equal shares.

According to court papers, the $1 680 million was deposited into a CBZ bank account for a company called Perpetual Properties, where Gumbo’s daughter was an administrator and in charge of the transactions.

The court heard the property was bought for $1,2 million and a balance of $435 500 remained after Perpetual Real Estate Agents deducted their $44 500 commission.

Another $160 000 was used to buy a property owned by Poptechnologies where Gumbo and one Popatlal Samir are directors, while a further $100 000 was given to a person only identified Da Silva, according to the prosecution.

Samir received $95 000 and Gumbo allegedly allocated himself $80 000 for “renovations”, according to the prosecution.

He is yet to respond to the allegations. - Helen Kadirire