Tinotenda Hove – A senior official in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Kenneth Nyakujawa (39), has landed in serious trouble after the Bulawayo Magistrates Court convicted him for concealing a personal interest in a government project.

Nyakujawa, who works as the District Public Works Officer for Ingutsheni District, admitted to the offence. He received a 12-month prison sentence, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour. The remaining six months were set aside on condition that he completes 210 hours of community service.

According to the facts presented in court, Nyakujawa visited Founders High School in 2024 to assess painting work expected to be undertaken by the Public Works Department. But in December of the same year, he informed the school that the department did not have enough personnel and urged them to hire his private company, Rota Cons Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.

The school went on to award the company a US$2,002 contract to paint the administration block, its roof, and the façade of a nearby classroom.

The court ruled that Nyakujawa had placed himself in a blatant conflict of interest by overseeing the same work as both the Public Works Officer and the director of the private company that received the contract. It was also revealed that he failed to submit mandatory site handover documents and supervision reports, actions viewed as an attempt to hide the deal from his supervisors.