Magistrate acquits Education Officials in corruption case

Regional magistrate Innocent Bepura has acquitted Masvingo Provincial Education Director Shylatte Mhike and Provincial Finance Director Liniah Chinoda of corruption charges.

The two had been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission over allegations of submitting false Travel and Subsistence claims amounting to US$600 each.

Delivering judgment after hearing testimony from five witnesses, Magistrate Bepura ruled that the State's case was "inconsistent, confusing and unreliable," adding that there was no evidence proving misrepresentation by the accused.

Also acquitted was Evershine Ndongwe, a Chivi District Schools Inspector who had been accused of coercing a district accountant to process the alleged fraudulent payments.

The ruling brings the case to a close, with the court finding that the prosecution failed to meet the required standard of proof.