HARARE – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested four serving Bulawayo councillors and a former councillor over allegations that they solicited a US$52,000 bribe to stop the cancellation of a hotel development lease.
Deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and former ward 22 councillor Rodney Jele were arrested on Sunday.
Ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu and ward 15 councillor Ashton Mhlanga handed themselves over to ZACC investigators on Monday in the company of their lawyer.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said the five were arrested “on allegations of extortion involving a 50-year lease agreement for a hotel development.”
Mlevu said investigations showed that the councillors allegedly demanded US$52,000 from a local businessman in exchange for allowing him to retain the lease.
“Investigations revealed that sometime in August 2026, the accused persons allegedly demanded US$52,000 from a local businessman in exchange for not cancelling a lease agreement entered into in March 2023,” she said.
“They allegedly told the complainant that an unnamed businessman was offering them US$52,000 to have the lease cancelled and advised him that he should match the offer to retain the lease.
“The complainant reported the matter to ZACC and a trap was set, leading to their arrest.”
The five are expected to appear in court on Monday.
The complainant, Mthuli Thulani Matshazi, secured the lease through his company, Mkhuze Global Investment, after announcing plans to develop a Hilton Hotel on the site.
The proposed development has, however, made little progress, prompting calls for the city council to cancel the lease and repossess the land.
