The ongoing fraud case against Clark Clever Makoni and Beverly Aisha Ndonda Makoni took an unexpected turn yesterday when a key witness, George Mashonganyika, admitted he had no direct evidence of the alleged fraudulent activities involving former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono. The couple faces charges related to a ZWL$137 million fraud case linked to Gono’s company, Galwex Investments.
During proceedings in front of Harare regional magistrate Stanford Mambanje, Mashonganyika, who claims to represent Valley Lodge Company, faced rigorous questioning from the defense’s lead attorney, Admire Rubaya. Under cross-examination, it was revealed that Mashonganyika lacked any formal resolution confirming his authority to represent Valley Lodge in court, raising questions about his credibility.
Rubaya pressed Mashonganyika on his knowledge of the alleged fraudulent submission of a CR14 form to ZB Bank, which was purportedly used by the Makonis to change the company’s signatories without proper authorization. When asked whether he was present when the documents were submitted to the bank, Mashonganyika admitted he was not, stating, “I was not employed by the bank’s Mutare branch and have no firsthand knowledge of the events.”
The absence of direct evidence became a central theme of the cross-examination. Rubaya pointed out that no CCTV footage or other corroborative evidence existed to support the claims that the couple had submitted any fraudulent documents to the bank. This lack of evidence prompted further scrutiny of the prosecution’s case, as the foundation of their allegations appeared increasingly shaky.
In an intriguing development, Mashonganyika testified that the Makonis had approached the complainant in an attempt to settle the matter out of court, offering a sum of US$50,000. However, Rubaya highlighted that the settlement document did not include any admission of wrongdoing or fraud by the couple, which undermined the prosecution’s narrative.
Additionally, Mashonganyika disclosed that minutes from the settlement meeting had been recorded by Dr. Dube, who chaired the meeting alongside Gideon Gono. The defense argued that the existence of these minutes did not substantiate the fraud allegations, as they lacked context or confirmation of any fraudulent activities.
State prosecutor Heather Muwokoto attempted to introduce a document that she claimed would demonstrate the couple’s forgery. However, the defense objected, arguing that introducing new evidence mid-trial was inappropriate. Magistrate Mambanje ruled in favor of the defense, rejecting the submission of the document and emphasizing the importance of adhering to proper legal protocols during the trial.
This case traces back to a 2009 transaction in which Costick Investments (Pvt) Ltd sold shares in Lizack and Valley Lodge to Galwex Investments. The core of the allegations lies in claims that the Makonis, tasked with managing Valley Lodge, altered the company’s directorship without proper authorization, leading to the current legal proceedings.
As the case unfolds, the admission of the witness regarding the absence of direct evidence raises significant questions about the strength of the prosecution’s case against the Makonis. The focus now shifts to whether the state can provide sufficient evidence to substantiate its allegations, or if the lack of corroborative proof will lead to the couple’s exoneration.
The matter has been adjourned until tomorrow for further proceedings, leaving many observers eager to see how this unexpected twist will impact the trial’s outcome. As the courtroom drama continues, the implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, touching on broader issues of accountability and the integrity of legal processes in Zimbabwe.
In other news – Siqokoqela Mphoko seeks to rebuild his life following acquittal on rape charges
Siqokoqela Mphoko, the son of former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, has come forward after being acquitted of a wrongful rape conviction that could have resulted in a 20-year prison sentence. Siqokoqela Mphokohad has been accused of raping his 12-year-old niece on three occasions at his Hillside home in Bulawayo, but last week the High Court overturned both the conviction and sentence.
In an exclusive, emotionally charged interview with Chronicle, Siqokoqela Mphoko reflected on the traumatic experience of being prosecuted for a crime he maintains he did not commit, saying it nearly destroyed his family. Read More
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