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Gideon Gono accused of presenting hearsay in court
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A Harare couple accused of defrauding former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono of ZiG137 million has challenged the credibility of the prosecution's evidence, calling it hearsay and lacking factual support.
Clark and Beverly Makoni, who are facing charges of fraudulently seizing control of Gono's business interests and siphoning funds from company accounts, rejected claims made by a key State witness during court proceedings held last Friday before regional magistrate Stanford Mambanje.
Lindiwe Sabeka, the State's witness and an auditor, was grilled under cross-examination by the couple's lawyer, Admire Rubaya. Sabeka admitted that the audit report used to support the State's case did not contain primary evidence proving the couple defrauded Gono.
Sabeka further conceded that some individuals who assisted in compiling the audit lacked formal accounting or auditing qualifications. Questions were also raised about her own credentials, with Rubaya insisting she submit proof of her qualifications, as there was no documentation confirming she was professionally certified to conduct the audit.
"The State cannot rely on a document prepared by unqualified individuals as the basis of serious fraud allegations," Rubaya argued in court.
The prosecution alleges that the Makonis forged a CR14 form - an official company registry document - claiming Clark Makoni had appointed himself as director and company secretary, and his wife Beverly as deputy. Using the allegedly falsified document, the couple reportedly went to ZB Bank in Mutare, representing themselves as the new shareholders of Valley Lodge, a company linked to Gono.
They allegedly convinced the bank to change signatories on the accounts, enabling them to assume control of company finances. The State claims this led to the misappropriation of ZiG137 million from the company's bank accounts.
However, the couple maintains their innocence and has accused Gono of presenting hearsay as evidence in an attempt to criminalise what they claim is a business dispute.
The trial continues, with the defense expected to continue challenging the legitimacy of the State's case and the qualifications of its key witnesses.
Clark and Beverly Makoni, who are facing charges of fraudulently seizing control of Gono's business interests and siphoning funds from company accounts, rejected claims made by a key State witness during court proceedings held last Friday before regional magistrate Stanford Mambanje.
Lindiwe Sabeka, the State's witness and an auditor, was grilled under cross-examination by the couple's lawyer, Admire Rubaya. Sabeka admitted that the audit report used to support the State's case did not contain primary evidence proving the couple defrauded Gono.
Sabeka further conceded that some individuals who assisted in compiling the audit lacked formal accounting or auditing qualifications. Questions were also raised about her own credentials, with Rubaya insisting she submit proof of her qualifications, as there was no documentation confirming she was professionally certified to conduct the audit.
The prosecution alleges that the Makonis forged a CR14 form - an official company registry document - claiming Clark Makoni had appointed himself as director and company secretary, and his wife Beverly as deputy. Using the allegedly falsified document, the couple reportedly went to ZB Bank in Mutare, representing themselves as the new shareholders of Valley Lodge, a company linked to Gono.
They allegedly convinced the bank to change signatories on the accounts, enabling them to assume control of company finances. The State claims this led to the misappropriation of ZiG137 million from the company's bank accounts.
However, the couple maintains their innocence and has accused Gono of presenting hearsay as evidence in an attempt to criminalise what they claim is a business dispute.
The trial continues, with the defense expected to continue challenging the legitimacy of the State's case and the qualifications of its key witnesses.
Source - NewZimbabwe
