dyton mupawaenda
Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
LEGAL manager of the Health Service Commission Mr Wilson Matsika has been acquitted of extortion charges after a full trial.
He was accused of demanding US$1 000 from a former employee, Godwin Takaniwa, to approve his reinstatement following a successful Labour Court ruling.
The allegations stemmed from an incident on September 15, 2022, when Mr Takaniwa was dismissed due to misconduct.
After his internal appeal was rejected by the Health Service Board, he appealed to the Labour Court, which ruled in his favour on January 25, 2023, ordering his reinstatement without loss of salary and benefits.
While the case was pending, the charge was that Mr Matsika invited Mr Takaniwa to his office, offering assistance in getting his job back, but demanded money in return. Mr Takaniwa refused this offer.
After the Labour Court’s decision, the charge sheet said Mr Matsika demanded US$1 000 from Mr Takaniwa to avoid appealing the court’s ruling to the Supreme Court, stating that reinstatement would cost the commission more than that amount.
Feeling pressured, Mr Takaniwa reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
On March 5, a sting operation was conducted using US$300 as bait, but Mr Matsika refused the amount, insisting on the full US$1 000.
Later, on March 20, he communicated with Takaniwa about appeal papers and continued to demand US$600 to withdraw the appeal, leading Mr Takaniwa to report him again, resulting in Mr Matsika’s arrest after accepting the trap money.
In his ruling, Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei said the State had failed to prove the essential elements of extortion.
He said the evidence presented did not substantiate the charges against Mr Matsika.
Matsika was represented by Mr Admire Rubaya.
Online Reporter