Warrant of arrest for former Zanu-PF youth league leader

A Harare court has issued a warrant of arrest for former Zanu-PF youth leader Lewis Matutu after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his fraud trial, where he faces allegations of stealing US$150,000 through the illegal acquisition of company shares.

Matutu is jointly charged with Blessing Kusangaya, Tafadzwa Kusangaya, Muzimba Muhamba, and Chisakwa Muhamba. The group stands accused of forging company documents to unlawfully take control of Shisib Investments, a mining company.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged fraud dates back to 2018 when Matutu and his co-accused, together with other unnamed accomplices, devised a scheme to defraud the company by altering its shareholding structure. Prosecutors say the accused prepared and submitted backdated annual returns - purporting to cover the years 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 - and forged the signatures of the complainant, Joseph Sibanda, and a company secretary named Lyton Shumba.

The fraudulent documents reportedly indicated that the accused had become majority shareholders and directors of Shisib Investments, despite having no legitimate claim to the shares. These forged returns were then submitted to the Registrar of Companies, effectively sidelining the rightful owner.

The matter came to light on September 30, 2024, when Sibanda was contacted by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Officials informed him that the accused had instructed the department to halt all mining operations at the company's site, claiming they had resolved as shareholders to sell the mining claim. The department sought a meeting with a representative of Shisib Investments, raising red flags for Sibanda.

Further allegations reveal that the accused used their illegally acquired status to participate in the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 19, 2024, during which they reportedly removed Sibanda from his position as director and changed the official address of the company.

"As a result of the accused's actions, the complainant suffered an actual prejudice of US$150,000 and nothing was recovered," the prosecution said in court papers.

Matutu's failure to attend court proceedings prompted the magistrate to issue a warrant for his immediate arrest. The trial is expected to proceed once he is taken into custody.

The case has attracted public interest due to Matutu's high-profile political background as a former Zanu-PF Youth League leader, once known for his anti-corruption rhetoric. His alleged involvement in the fraudulent scheme has cast a shadow over his previous reformist image.

Court proceedings against the remaining accused are set to continue, while efforts are underway to locate and apprehend Matutu.