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Kidnapping trial delayed after lawyer fails to attend
13 hrs ago |
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The trial of a Harare man accused of kidnapping and assaulting a former work colleague to stop him from exposing an alleged fraud scheme has been postponed to July 30 after the defence lawyer failed to appear in court.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38) is facing one count of kidnapping in contravention of Section 93 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The matter was due to continue before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai this week, but proceedings were adjourned after Rondozai's lawyer, Oliver Marwa, did not attend court.
The complainant, David Matanda (35), alleges that Rondozai abducted and assaulted him in May 2025 in an attempt to prevent him from exposing alleged financial misconduct at Real Star Security, where the two were previously employed.
During cross-examination on the first day of the trial, Matanda told the court he delayed reporting the alleged kidnapping because he feared for his life.
He testified that after the incident he fled to South Africa, only returning to Zimbabwe on December 16, 2025. He eventually reported the matter to police on February 19, 2026.
Explaining the delay, Matanda said he feared his alleged abductors would target him again if he went to the authorities sooner.
He also told the court that he first reported the alleged abduction to senior managers at Real Star Security on February 12, 2026, who advised him to make a formal police report.
When questioned about inconsistencies between his oral evidence and his police statement, Matanda maintained that some details had been omitted from the written statement by the police.
He further testified that he was able to identify Rondozai before being blindfolded because they had worked together for a long time.
According to the State, Rondozai and four accomplices, who remain at large, allegedly abducted Matanda from his home in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege that two of the suspects posed as police officers before handcuffing and blindfolding Matanda and forcing him into a silver Honda Fit.
The State says Matanda was unlawfully detained for about eight hours, during which Rondozai allegedly warned him not to implicate him in any financial misappropriation or fraud involving Real Star Security.
The suspects allegedly threatened Matanda before abandoning him near a bridge along New Chitungwiza Road.
The trial is expected to resume on July 30.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38) is facing one count of kidnapping in contravention of Section 93 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The matter was due to continue before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai this week, but proceedings were adjourned after Rondozai's lawyer, Oliver Marwa, did not attend court.
The complainant, David Matanda (35), alleges that Rondozai abducted and assaulted him in May 2025 in an attempt to prevent him from exposing alleged financial misconduct at Real Star Security, where the two were previously employed.
During cross-examination on the first day of the trial, Matanda told the court he delayed reporting the alleged kidnapping because he feared for his life.
He testified that after the incident he fled to South Africa, only returning to Zimbabwe on December 16, 2025. He eventually reported the matter to police on February 19, 2026.
Explaining the delay, Matanda said he feared his alleged abductors would target him again if he went to the authorities sooner.
When questioned about inconsistencies between his oral evidence and his police statement, Matanda maintained that some details had been omitted from the written statement by the police.
He further testified that he was able to identify Rondozai before being blindfolded because they had worked together for a long time.
According to the State, Rondozai and four accomplices, who remain at large, allegedly abducted Matanda from his home in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege that two of the suspects posed as police officers before handcuffing and blindfolding Matanda and forcing him into a silver Honda Fit.
The State says Matanda was unlawfully detained for about eight hours, during which Rondozai allegedly warned him not to implicate him in any financial misappropriation or fraud involving Real Star Security.
The suspects allegedly threatened Matanda before abandoning him near a bridge along New Chitungwiza Road.
The trial is expected to resume on July 30.
Source - Newsday
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