Innocent Pedzisai Munanzi, the Chairperson of the Leopold Takawira Housing Cooperative and also owns Innop Housing Cooperative, was last year found guilty of theft of property by a local magistrate.
Allegations against him were that in January 2010 Leopold Takawira Housing Co-operative applied for money to develop residential stands from the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities. They were however given land instead of cash.
In 2011 Munanzvi then advertised for the purchase of residential stands to various individuals and cooperates. He demanded to be given deposits upfront from home-seekers but converted the proceeds- $315 000, to personal use.
He was sentenced to three years in prison with one year suspended for five years and a further two years suspended on condition that he compensated the affected people the total sum.
However, despite having a criminal record, Munanzvi is battling it out with sitting MP, Phares Maramba for the Chirumanzu parliamentary seat race.
Other candidates are Dadmine Kanoti, Simon Sigauke, Seviyasi Piki, former Deputy Health Minister, Edwin Muguti and Max Magumo Zvidzai.
The Zimbabwean law however, does not allow ex-convicts to be MPs but according to sources, Munanzwi will sail through due to his "connections to top Zanu (PF) officials" if he wins in the primaries.
Post published in: News