Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Kadoma Magistrates Court has acquitted Citizens Against Economic Sanctions executive director Martin Zharare of fraud charges after ruling that the State had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
In a ruling delivered on September 23, 2026, the court discharged Zharare at the close of the State’s case after finding that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant him being put on his defence.
Zharare had been charged with fraud under Section 136 of the Criminal Law Code in a case involving the distribution of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries.
The court found that the inputs had been distributed to the intended beneficiaries in accordance with the required procedures, with no evidence that Zharare had collected the inputs or diverted them for personal use.
In its ruling, the court raised concerns about the relationship between Zharare and the State’s first witness, Wallace Matavire.
“There is bad blood between the State’s first witness (Wallace Matavire) and the accused, and he wishes to use other entities in his selfish motives,” the court said.
The court also found that the evidence had failed to establish the alleged misrepresentation, noting that the essential elements of the offence had not been proved.
It further observed that neither the Grain Marketing Board nor AGRITEX had reported fraud in connection with the distribution of the inputs.
The court criticised the police investigations, saying a proper investigation should have established that there were no grounds to charge Zharare.
“Had the police investigated well, the accused should have never been charged. The accused is hereby discharged at the close of the State case as there is no prima facie case established,” the court ruled.
The court subsequently recorded a verdict of not guilty, acquitting Zharare of the charges.
