Cottco scandal : MP has no case to answer
MOREBLESSING MARANGE
Zanu PF Gokwe-Nembudziya Member of Parliament, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, has no case to answer in a matter he was jointly accused of money laundering and fraud involving US$5.8mn.
The lawmaker, who is also the Parliamentary Portfolio committee Chairperson on Lands, was facing charges of fraud after he allegedly made fictitious purchases of goods purportedly for use by Cottco.
Wadyajena was jointly charged with Cottco bosses, Pious Manamike, Maxmore Njanji, Fortunate Molai and Chiedza Danha who were being accused of fraud and money laundering after they allegedly diverted into their own use, US$5,834,000 meant to buy bale ties for government’s cotton merchant.
The state alleged they instead diverted the funds towards buying haulage trucks, fuel and an assortment of other purchases for personal use.
The accused were all removed from remand by Magistrate Taurai Manuwere.
Wadyajena, who is also the Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee Chairperson for Gokwe North, was represented by Oliver Marwa.
“The factors the court found in this application is the extent of delay, the reason for delay, the seriousness of the charge, the prejudice of the State, and the adverse interest of the public. This is a clear case and the refusal of remand should be granted, the accused persons have been on remand for more than six months,” Manuwere said.
He said the State had asked for a month from August last year to complete their investigations, but had failed.
Manuwere said the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) failed to prove how Wadyajena performed the illegal transactions from countries such as the United States (US), Holland and Mauritius.
The regional magistrate then removed Wadyajena from remand saying Zacc had no case, adding that they arrested the legislator to investigate him.
