adminaccused of contravening sections of the Water Act and the Environmental Management Act.
In acquitting the four regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya said there was no evidence to show that the four intended to poison water at Morton Jaffray.
“There was a mix up and I don’t think it would be proper for the court to say it was deliberate and the accused wanted to poison water.
“The court wonders why the driver would wait for four days at Morton Jaffray to deliver the consignment and if ever there was connivance, why did they not smuggle it through the broken fence?
“According to the records, Freight World imported the cyanide, CureChem was to deliver to MTand N on July 24 2012.
“The question is why are these companies not in the dock?
“It was a storm in a tea cup. There was a mistake, no intention to poison water hence the accused persons are entitled a benefit of doubt.
“The court finds them not guilty.” and acquitted,” he said.
Mr Nicholas Chikono appeared on behalf of the quartet.
The State had alleged that on July 16 last year Demhe left Beira, Mozambique, for Zimbabwe with a CureChem Overseas (Pvt) Ltd consignment of 19 580kg of sodium cyanide, a poisonous chemical.
It was also alleged that the consignment was cleared into Zimbabwe by Zimra at Forbes Border Post.
The cyanide was eventually delivered to Morton Jaffray water treatment plant.
Online Reporter