…...as  NPA loses appeal

Court Reporter

The Supreme Court has cleared former Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, of all fraud charges, putting an end to a long-running legal battle that has drawn national attention.

The court’s ruling, delivered yesterday, also marked a decisive victory for Wadyajena's company, Mayor Logistics, which had been embroiled in the same charges.

Wadyajena had faced allegations of fraud and money laundering, which led to the seizure of 25 haulage trucks, a Lamborghini Urus, and a BMW X6M by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

The case, which involved the confiscation of high-value assets, had become a symbol of the state's intensified fight against corruption.

Earlier this year, the High Court had ruled in favour of Wadyajena, ordering the return of the seized assets.

However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) quickly appealed the decision, arguing that the return of the assets was premature, given that investigations were still ongoing. The appeal led to the case being elevated to the Supreme Court for a final determination.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court dismissed the NPA's appeal, ruling that it lacked merit and upheld the High Court's earlier decision to return Wadyajena’s assets.

 This ruling effectively closes the case, exonerating Wadyajena and his company of all charges.

Wadyajena’s lawyer, Oliver Marwa, welcomed the verdict and reiterated his client’s long-standing claim of innocence.

"Our clients have always maintained their innocence, and this ruling confirms that there was never any basis for the charges. The property was legally acquired, and we made numerous requests for a trial date, but the state could not produce one. This decision now means our clients are fully exonerated," said Marwa.

While the ruling marks the end of Wadyajena’s high-profile legal battle, the NPA continues to grapple with other cases.

In a separate matter, the NPA has filed an appeal with the High Court over what it deems a lenient sentence handed down to four Cameroonian nationals convicted of contravening the Immigration Act.

The quartet, Christiana Byombe Duma Ebako, Muya Muya Emile, Tegha Marvel Ngei, and Nnam Yvette Kum, were intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post, while using fraudulent Zimbabwean passports.

 Despite pleading guilty, they were given a caution and discharged, which the NPA argues failed to deliver justice.

Additionally, former Chegutu West legislator Dexter Nduna has been remanded in custody on fraud charges. Nduna, 53, appeared in court on Monday facing allegations of misrepresenting himself as an authorized agent to collect parking fees on behalf of the Chegutu Municipality.

He allegedly deceived two motorists into paying the fees under false pretences. Nduna’s case, which has attracted public interest due to his political background, will return to court on Tuesday for a bail ruling.

As these cases unfold, they underscore the complexities of corruption cases in the country and the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in holding individuals accountable.