Dynamos Football Club founding member Marriot acquitted of fraud.

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

Harare magistrate Ms Yeukai Dzuda has acquitted Dynamos Football Club founding member Bernard Marriott Lusengo on allegations of corruptly acquiring 51 percent shareholding in the club and allocating other shares to undeserving people who are not the club’s original members.

In her ruling, the magistrate said the complainants do not fall in the category of former players as per the club’s 1963 Constitution.

The magistrate said none of the complainants played for Dynamos during its formation in 1963.

“The State did not tender evidence to prove a charge of fraud against the accused person, therefore he is found not guilty and acquitted,” ruled the magistrate.

In his defence, Lusengo said the complainants in the matter were not entitled to any shares in the club.

He also told the court that he is the only surviving member of the club’s founders.

Lusengo added that the 1963 constitution was repealed at a general assembly meeting and from that day, the club is being run by articles of association.

It was the State’s case that Lusengo declared himself the club’s chairman, and is said to have acted against a High Court order which awarded each founding member one percent share.

The then High Court judge, Justice Luke Malaba gave the order after the ownership wrangle spilled into court in 2005.

Lusengo was charged with fraud after being arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Leslie Gwindi was the complainant in the matter.

Lusengo was being represented by Herbert Mutasa.