MP slapped with US$50 000 lawsuit

Zvishavane-Ngezi legislator Mecky Jaravaza is facing a US$50,000 civil lawsuit after a local woman accused him of falsely implicating her in a robbery case that resulted in her arrest, detention and prosecution.

Svevedzerai Mazorodze has filed a claim for damages, alleging malicious arrest, detention, prosecution, harassment and loss of business arising from allegations that she was part of a gang that robbed the Member of Parliament.

According to court documents, Mazorodze contends that Jaravaza made a false report to police in 2022, leading to her arrest and subsequent prosecution in the Zvishavane Magistrates Court.

She spent approximately one month in remand prison before being granted bail and remained on trial for nearly three years before being discharged at the close of the State's case in January 2025.

In her summons, Mazorodze argues that the prosecution was malicious and lacked a proper factual basis.

"Sometime in 2022 the defendant made a false report to the police that the plaintiff had been part of a gang that robbed him. As a result of the false report, the plaintiff was arrested and detained by the police," reads part of the court papers.

"The defendant went on to cause malicious prosecution of the plaintiff in Zvishavane Magistrates Court. The prosecution however ended with the discharge of the plaintiff at the close of the State case in January 2025."

Mazorodze claims that as a result of the arrest and prolonged court proceedings, she suffered emotional distress, reputational harm and significant financial losses.

She alleges that the case adversely affected her business activities and caused considerable hardship during the period she was facing criminal charges.

The lawsuit seeks US$50,000 in damages for what she describes as unlawful arrest, detention, harassment, malicious prosecution and loss of income.

Mazorodze was initially charged alongside four other suspects on three counts of robbery.

The State alleged at the time that her role was to direct the alleged robbers to Jaravaza's residence while knowing that they intended to commit a robbery.

During the criminal proceedings, Jaravaza reportedly testified that Mazorodze visited him after the robbery and admitted involvement by allegedly leading the suspects to his home.

However, the court heard that the allegation was not corroborated by other witnesses, including members of Jaravaza's family who were present and testified during the trial.

The criminal case ultimately ended with Mazorodze's discharge at the close of the State case, meaning the court found that the prosecution had failed to establish a case requiring her to present a defence.

Jaravaza has not yet filed a response to the civil claim.

The matter is expected to proceed through the courts, where the allegations made by both parties will be tested.