adminwas represented by Mr Watson Muchengeti of Muchengeti and Company had pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame facing theft of trust property charges.
He was acquitted after a fully contested trial. In his ruling Mr Shortgame said evidence adduced showed that the money in question was paid to W. Maungwe Timbers Services (Pvt) (Ltd) a duly incorporated company with separate legal persona.
He said the State had failed to prove that Hlanguyo received money in trust on behalf of the complainant Mr Danisa Mhlanga who is a co-director in the company in question.
Mr Hlanguyo and Mhlanga are co-directors of the company in question which is currently not operating, but once leased its company equipment to Woodlot Timbers, a company which was in the business of selling timber.
The lease ran from March 1, 2011 to August 27 the same year.
The State had alleged that during the period extending from March 2011 to August 2011, Hlanguyo collected money as rentals from Woodlot Timbers.
It is alleged that the agreement between the two owners was to collect money and deposit it into their company account thereafter they would withdraw the money and share it equally between themselves.
The State further alleged that Mr Hlanguyo received the rentals in cash and pocketed it.
Mr Hlanguyo was also cleared of breaching sections of the Companies Act.
He was jointly charged with Mr Charles Munjanja.
The State had alleged that the pair published statements about the company in question which was false.
Mr Shortgame acquitted the pair at the close of the State’s case after ruling that the complainant Mr Mhlanga by signing at some of the documents was agreeing that he was bound by whatever appeared above his signature.
Online Reporter