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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Businessman Mayor Wadayajena yesterday recovered his fleet of 23 tonne haulage trucks plus a Lamborghini SUV held in August 2022 when he and five others were facing charges of defrauding the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe of US$5,8 million.
But the charges were dropped last year before plea and the High Court ruled yesterday that in any case the trucks had not been held lawfully since September 2022 since the authorities did not apply for an extension to the laid-down maximum of 30 days before the initial 30 days granted in August 2022 ended.
Wadyajena had been charged along with Cottco bosses, who include Pious Manamike, Maxmore Njanji, Fortunate Molai and Chiedza Danha. Dropping charges before plea means that the State can go back to trial should there be enough evidence to justify a trial.
In a judgment delivered yesterday, Justice Tawanda Chitapi of the High Court granted the application by Wadyajena for the release of his fleet finding that on the facts and circumstances of this case, the continued seizure of his property was unlawful.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter