News / National
Mwonzora accused of misappropriating client's funds
03 Sep 2013 at 04:14hrs | Views
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora was yesterday brought to court on summons for allegedly misappropriating money his client had won in a lawsuit after a botched car deal.
Mwonzora used ZW$300 000 which, his client Mr Lameck Kunjaku obtained following a judgment after he sued one R Masuku who had sold him a stolen Mazda 626 vehicle in 1999.
Mwonzora (43) who was then charged with theft by conversion appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Themba Kuwanda who deferred trial to 12 September.
Mr Kuwanda said the matter should proceed to trial since the State called him on summons and said they were ready. "If the complainant says I am not interested in the matter it raises eyebrows," said Mr Kuwanda.
In his argument, Mwonzora said he was to file an application for refusal of further remand when the trial commences. "If the State is prepared, why can't I be put to trial right away. I cannot have the case where I am being persecuted. I need the court's protection against abuse by State officials," he said.
Prosecutor Mr Daniel Muchimbiri alleges that sometime in 1999, Mr Kunjaku bought a Mazda 626 from one R Masuku. In 2001, it is alleged that the car was recovered by detectives in Bulawayo and indications were that the car was stolen.
Mr Kunjaku who was residing in Masvingo where Mwonzora was also residing approached the latter for representation, the court heard.
Within the same year, it is alleged, Mr Kunjaku engaged Mwonzora for legal services to sue Masuku for ZW$300 000 and in 2003, the judgment was given in favour of Mr Kunjaku.
Mr Muchimbiri told the court that Masuku's relative, Dumisani Mpofu paid the ZW$300 000 which Mwonzora told Mr Kunjaku was deposited into a bank account. The money took long to be paid until in 2006 when they had a misunderstanding over what should be paid, it is alleged.
The complainant allegedly filed a police report and efforts to get the judgment from the High Court in Bulawayo were fruitless since they said the files had been sent to their archives.
Mwonzora used ZW$300 000 which, his client Mr Lameck Kunjaku obtained following a judgment after he sued one R Masuku who had sold him a stolen Mazda 626 vehicle in 1999.
Mwonzora (43) who was then charged with theft by conversion appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Themba Kuwanda who deferred trial to 12 September.
Mr Kuwanda said the matter should proceed to trial since the State called him on summons and said they were ready. "If the complainant says I am not interested in the matter it raises eyebrows," said Mr Kuwanda.
In his argument, Mwonzora said he was to file an application for refusal of further remand when the trial commences. "If the State is prepared, why can't I be put to trial right away. I cannot have the case where I am being persecuted. I need the court's protection against abuse by State officials," he said.
Mr Kunjaku who was residing in Masvingo where Mwonzora was also residing approached the latter for representation, the court heard.
Within the same year, it is alleged, Mr Kunjaku engaged Mwonzora for legal services to sue Masuku for ZW$300 000 and in 2003, the judgment was given in favour of Mr Kunjaku.
Mr Muchimbiri told the court that Masuku's relative, Dumisani Mpofu paid the ZW$300 000 which Mwonzora told Mr Kunjaku was deposited into a bank account. The money took long to be paid until in 2006 when they had a misunderstanding over what should be paid, it is alleged.
The complainant allegedly filed a police report and efforts to get the judgment from the High Court in Bulawayo were fruitless since they said the files had been sent to their archives.
Source - chronicle
