Illicit wealth case resumes in Zimbabwe court

The trial of Dennis Madondo, a 33-year-old man from Murehwa accused of acquiring property using illicit funds, resumed yesterday, with the prosecution presenting evidence on his unexplained wealth.

Madondo, who was previously acquitted in the US$2.7 million armed robbery case at ZB Bank in 2021, now faces charges of using suspected criminal proceeds to purchase a luxury vehicle and possessing large sums of undocumented cash.

During the proceedings, lead prosecutor Mr. Ngoni Kaseke called investigating officer Detective Assistant Inspector Simbarashe Maruziva to testify.

Det Asst Insp Maruziva told the court that Madondo claimed to have accumulated US$62,500 between 2013 and January 2021 through various business ventures, including vehicle trading, mining, and farming. However, he said there was no documentation to verify these claims.

"There is no trail to demonstrate how he acquired the funds," he said, adding that Madondo failed to provide any records of his alleged mining activities.

Furthermore, the investigating officer disputed Madondo's assertion that he bought the Mercedes-Benz in question before the 2021 armed robbery, stating that police records suggest the vehicle was purchased using proceeds from criminal activities.

During cross-examination, Det Asst Insp Maruziva maintained that Madondo, despite being in remand prison, had the legal right to provide documentation supporting his claims.

"He could have instructed his legal team to obtain the necessary documentation," the officer argued.

The court also heard that Madondo failed to present company registration papers, tax clearance certificates, or any formal records to substantiate his alleged sources of income.

Following the prosecution's submission, Madondo's defence attorney, Mr. Austin Muzivi, applied for his client's discharge.

Presiding magistrate Mr. Taurai Manuwere is set to deliver a ruling on February 24.