News / National
Trial of Anti-Corruption Commission boss postponed
20 May 2013 at 22:12hrs | Views
The trial of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Ngonidzashe Gumbo, who is facing charges of defrauding the commission of US$435 000, has been postponed after the lawyer representing him successfully applied for the deferment.
Gumbo allegedly bought offices to be used by the commission in Mt Pleasant, Harare, using Government funds, but registered the property in the name of a company he jointly owned with four of his subordinates.
Gumbo yesterday appeared before regional magistrate Mr Simon Kachambwa who remanded him to June 17 for commencement of trial.
In his application, Gumbo through his lawyer, Mr Raphael Tsivama, told the court that he was not ready for trial since the State had not furnished him with relevant documents.
Mr Kachambwa ruled that Gumbo be furnished with the necessary documents to enable him to prepare for his defence.
Law officer Ms Sharon Fero and Mr Jonathan Chingwinyiso appeared for the State.
Mr Chingwinyiso opposed the application, arguing that they supplied the defence with all the necessary documents.
But Mr Kachambwa ruled in favour of Gumbo and ordered the State to furnish him with the relevant and necessary documents before the commencement of trial.
The State alleged that in 2010, ZACC approached the Home Affairs Ministry seeking alternative accommodation when their landlords were about to evict them.
The ministry instructed Gumbo to look for alternative property and he identified 872 Betterment Close in Mt Pleasant that belonged to Diane Spalletah.
It is alleged that Gumbo went back to the ministry where he requested for US$1,68 million to buy the property and Government deposited US$1,7 million into a ZACC account.
Gumbo allegedly instructed his subordinates Sukai Tongogara, Edwin Mubataripi, Christopher Chisango and Gibson Mangwiro to form a shelf company called Property Mortgage where they became directors with equal shares.
A ZACC administration and human resources manager deposited the US$1,68 million into a CBZ account for Perpetual Properties trust account.
It is believed that Gumbo's daughter was an administrator for Perpetual Properties and she was the one who did the transactions. The property was bought for US$1,2 million, which was fully paid to the owner Spalletah by Perpetual Properties.
Perpetual Properties deducted their commission amounting to US$44 500, leaving a balance of US$435 500.
Gumbo allegedly bought offices to be used by the commission in Mt Pleasant, Harare, using Government funds, but registered the property in the name of a company he jointly owned with four of his subordinates.
Gumbo yesterday appeared before regional magistrate Mr Simon Kachambwa who remanded him to June 17 for commencement of trial.
In his application, Gumbo through his lawyer, Mr Raphael Tsivama, told the court that he was not ready for trial since the State had not furnished him with relevant documents.
Mr Kachambwa ruled that Gumbo be furnished with the necessary documents to enable him to prepare for his defence.
Law officer Ms Sharon Fero and Mr Jonathan Chingwinyiso appeared for the State.
Mr Chingwinyiso opposed the application, arguing that they supplied the defence with all the necessary documents.
But Mr Kachambwa ruled in favour of Gumbo and ordered the State to furnish him with the relevant and necessary documents before the commencement of trial.
The State alleged that in 2010, ZACC approached the Home Affairs Ministry seeking alternative accommodation when their landlords were about to evict them.
The ministry instructed Gumbo to look for alternative property and he identified 872 Betterment Close in Mt Pleasant that belonged to Diane Spalletah.
It is alleged that Gumbo went back to the ministry where he requested for US$1,68 million to buy the property and Government deposited US$1,7 million into a ZACC account.
Gumbo allegedly instructed his subordinates Sukai Tongogara, Edwin Mubataripi, Christopher Chisango and Gibson Mangwiro to form a shelf company called Property Mortgage where they became directors with equal shares.
A ZACC administration and human resources manager deposited the US$1,68 million into a CBZ account for Perpetual Properties trust account.
It is believed that Gumbo's daughter was an administrator for Perpetual Properties and she was the one who did the transactions. The property was bought for US$1,2 million, which was fully paid to the owner Spalletah by Perpetual Properties.
Perpetual Properties deducted their commission amounting to US$44 500, leaving a balance of US$435 500.
Source - Herald
