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Court Reporter
Former MDC-T Ward 17 councillor in Chitungwiza, Jacob Rukweza, who failed to account for US$21 600 which he received for a car park project for Rise and Shine Youth Co-operative was yesterday barred by the court from interfering with the co-operative.
Rise and Shine Youth Co-operative acquired land on March 11, 2011 from Chitungwiza Municipality through Rukweza and used it as a car park to benefit its members.

But on March 4 this year, the co-operative passed a vote of no confidence against Rukweza after he failed to account for cash which he allegedly put to his personal use.

In their papers filed in court, the co-operative members wanted Rukweza barred from interfering with the project.

Represented by their chairman Mr Morton Utonga and two others, the co-operative members said Rukweza’s continued interference in the project was prejudicing their income.

“Chitungwiza Municipality through the sitting councillor have advised us to approach the courts for arbitration since the respondent (Rukweza) has remained adamant and boasts that there is nothing that can be done to stop him,” read part of the application for an interdict order.

In his opposition papers, Rukweza said he was a journalist and is employed as a sub-editor with a weekly newspaper based in Harare.

“As the patron of the car park project and a community leader, I have been directly involved in the initiation of the car park situated in Unit K,” he said.

“I did not at any time grant permission to anyone to operate the car park in question.”

Chitungwiza Civil Court magistrate Ms Marehwanazvo Gofa granted the interdict order in favour of the co-operative after hearing arguments from both sides. Ms Gofa barred Rukweza from interfering or collecting rentals from the car park.