Former ZBH executive cleared of defrauding Libyan govt

and his co-accused Mr Tapiwa Givemore Kasuso have been cleared of charges of defrauding the Libyan government of more than US$4 million.
The two were removed from remand following an application for removal of remand.
The duo had argued that there was a lengthy period since the commencement of the case and the State failed to avail the trial date.
Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei ruled that the State failed to furnish the suspects with a trial date.
The State had made a commitment that the date would be available on March 8 since the docket was with the Chief Law Officer hence Mr Musendo should be removed from remand.
Mr Musendo and Mr Kasuso lodged an application through their lawyer Mr John Bakasa of Muza and Nyapadi Legal Practitioners.
Mr Bakasa submitted that there has been a hindrance in the livelihood of his clients due to the bail conditions.
“The State failed to produce a trial date for my clients and the case has been in the courts for nine months and the court should not continue to place them on remand.
“Also they (Musendo and Kasuso) can be called by way of summons when the State is ready for trial,” Mr Bakasa said.
Prosecutor Ms Svodai Kadivirire had earlier opposed the application on the basis that the pair were a flight risk if they are removed from remand and given back their passports.
The State had pointed out that sometime in 1999, the Libyan government invested in Zimbabwe’s transport and property sectors.
The Tripoli authorities registered their company in the name of Crieff Investments (Pvt) Ltd and later changed to Aldawila Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
The company bought 12 haulage trucks and 10 garden flats at Clamond Court in Avondale under the management of Mr Khaled Alhachi Othman who was replaced by Mr Jalaledin Ghunim.
Messrs Musendo and Kasuso were tasked to manage the transport business and the flats.
Mr Musendo was alleged to have drafted a fake Memorandum of Agreement of Lease dated November 17.
The State alleged, Mr Musendo sold some of the haulage trucks and a trailer and collected rentals prejudicing the Libyan government in property worth US$4 million.