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Magistrate recuses self from Geza case
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Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande recused herself yesterday from presiding over the case involving former Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) board chairperson, Basil Nyabadza, who faces allegations of defrauding war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza, also known as "Bombshell," of over US$1 million.
The case, which had originally been scheduled to take place before Magistrate Mazhande, was subsequently moved to the courtroom of Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei. During the proceedings, State prosecutor Anesu Chirenje informed the court that charges were being withdrawn before plea, as the complainant, Geza, was not available to testify.
Chirenje presented an affidavit from the investigating officer, Hillary Mazhekete, which indicated that efforts to contact Geza had been unsuccessful. However, the prosecutor reassured the court that the case would be brought back once Geza becomes available to testify.
Nyabadza, the accused in the matter, opposed the State's application to withdraw the charges, insisting that he wanted the case to proceed to finalization.
The State's case centers around an agreement made between Nyabadza and Geza on October 29, 2020, where Geza purchased a 42.3504-hectare piece of land for US$1,362,000. Geza was granted exclusive rights to subdivide, develop, and sell the land.
According to the allegations, Nyabadza misrepresented that the land had title deeds, promising to provide them within a month, but he failed to deliver. While Geza was in the process of obtaining subdivision permits for the land from the Department of Physical Planning in Mashonaland West, he discovered that Nyabadza had allegedly sold the same land to another party, Velda Estates.
Geza reportedly sought a resolution with Nyabadza, but was later shocked to learn that the agreement of sale had been canceled without his knowledge. This prompted Geza to report the matter to the police, which led to Nyabadza's summons to court.
As the case continues to unfold, the legal proceedings will resume once the complainant is available to testify.
The case, which had originally been scheduled to take place before Magistrate Mazhande, was subsequently moved to the courtroom of Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei. During the proceedings, State prosecutor Anesu Chirenje informed the court that charges were being withdrawn before plea, as the complainant, Geza, was not available to testify.
Chirenje presented an affidavit from the investigating officer, Hillary Mazhekete, which indicated that efforts to contact Geza had been unsuccessful. However, the prosecutor reassured the court that the case would be brought back once Geza becomes available to testify.
Nyabadza, the accused in the matter, opposed the State's application to withdraw the charges, insisting that he wanted the case to proceed to finalization.
The State's case centers around an agreement made between Nyabadza and Geza on October 29, 2020, where Geza purchased a 42.3504-hectare piece of land for US$1,362,000. Geza was granted exclusive rights to subdivide, develop, and sell the land.
According to the allegations, Nyabadza misrepresented that the land had title deeds, promising to provide them within a month, but he failed to deliver. While Geza was in the process of obtaining subdivision permits for the land from the Department of Physical Planning in Mashonaland West, he discovered that Nyabadza had allegedly sold the same land to another party, Velda Estates.
Geza reportedly sought a resolution with Nyabadza, but was later shocked to learn that the agreement of sale had been canceled without his knowledge. This prompted Geza to report the matter to the police, which led to Nyabadza's summons to court.
As the case continues to unfold, the legal proceedings will resume once the complainant is available to testify.
Source - newsday
