Online Reporter
Court Reporter
A Harare fuel dealer, Tinashe Nyasha Makoni, has been cleared of fraud charges involving US$36 000 after the complainant, Walter Tarwireyi, withdrew the case.
Makoni had been brought before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts in December 2023, accused of running a fake fuel business and defrauding Tarwireyi, a friend, of US$36 000.
The allegations stemmed from a fuel transaction in which Makoni was said to have issued a fraudulent release document for 25 000 litres of diesel.
The complainant claimed that when his client, Raymond Mazodze, attempted to collect the fuel from the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), the document was found to be fake.
The case took a turn when Tarwireyi formally withdrew the charges last month.
In an affidavit, he confirmed the withdrawal, stating:
“I do hereby solemnly and sincerely swear the following: I reported a case of fraud against Tinashe Makoni. I wish to withdraw charges against him because we are friends and have settled out of court. I do confirm that I am doing so freely and voluntarily and without undue influence. The case is appearing under case number CRB1075/23.”
The court, which had already refused further remand on May 5, 2024, accepted the withdrawal of charges. At the time of the refusal, Makoni was out on US$300 bail.
A crime remains a crime regardless and must be taken through its full process. People must always resolve their disputes out of court first before taking them up on court hearing. Once a case is reported there should not be any back tracking thereafter. Withdrawal of cases must be prohibited or be accompanied by a hefty fine for wasting public resources.