Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Prominent auctioneer Jeffrey Mubaiwa, the director of JEFFM Auctions, has been cleared of charges of defrauding mobile network provider NetOne Private Limited of US$133 204.
The case was recently withdrawn before plea at the Harare Magistrates’ Court. The charges were dropped at the instigation of the State, with NetOne formally consenting to the withdrawal through an affidavit.
Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa formally dismissed the case. Mubaiwa was arrested in November 2024 facing accusations of withholding money from the sale of NetOne’s obsolete equipment, furniture, and vehicles.
The allegations stemmed from a contract awarded to his company in January 2024. NetOne advertised for quotations in September 2022, seeking registered bidders for the disposal of its outdated assets under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
JEFFM Auctions successfully won the bid. Under the terms of the contract, Mubaiwa’s role was to auction NetOne’s assets and remit the proceeds within 48 hours of the sale.
The auction, conducted on July 13, 2024, generated US$172 204 in total, US$113 450 from vehicles and US$58 754 from other items.
The State had alleged that after the auction, Mubaiwa failed to remit the funds within the agreed 48-hour period.
They claimed that he only deposited US$39 000 on July 23, 2024, and converted the remaining US$133 204 to his personal use.
This led to his arrest and subsequent placement on remand.
