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Court Correspondent
A prominent Harare lawyer, Stanslaus Munyaradzi Bwanya, has denied allegations of perjury, extortion, and forgery filed against him by former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Mrs Farai Olivia Mashonganyika emanating from a land dispute.
The trial commenced this week before Harare magistrate Ms Lisah Mutendereki with the State leading evidence from its witness Mrs Mashonganyika.
She told the court that in 2009, she acquired stand number 91 Carrick Creagh Estate, Borrowdale, Harare, through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
After settling the development fees amounting to US$10 000 to the land developer, Arosume Property Development and US$4 000 land intrinsic value to the ministry she was given title to the property being title deed number 5690/2011.
She said that in April 2022, Bwanya purported that he was representing the interest of his client, Arosume Property Development and approached Mr Moses Gumbochuma who is Mrs Mashonganyika’s brother and asked him to persuade her to give him 2 000 m² of her stand so that he can ensure that the property developer drops any legal challenges against her.
When she refused, he allegedly filed a false court application to stop her from developing her property.
Bwanya is also accused of lying under oath and forging documents to support his claims. He allegedly presented a fake copy of a cancelled deed of transfer to the High Court, while the original document showed no such cancellation.
She reinforced in her evidence-in-chief that the ministry told her the cancellation letter was fraudulent and she was never aware of the same.
Bwanya is however denying all the allegations, calling them malicious and motivated by abuse of power.
Bwanya also denies the extortion charges, stating his arrest and prosecution are motivated by Mrs Mashonanyika’s attempt to escape the consequences of unlawfully occupation of State land.
He also claims he only met Mrs Mashonyanyika once for 7 minutes and 36 seconds, and never discussed her stand or litigation. He said the police have a recorded audio of the conversation.
Bwanya claims he never pretended to be a conveyancer, because he is a fully registered conveyancer.
He said he acted on behalf of Arosume Property Development Private Limited and produced letters to support his actions.
In terms of forgery accusations, Bwanya argued that Mrs Mashonganyika is lying and has not produced any evidence of the allegedly forged document.
He claims he never misrepresented facts to the High Court and that papers filed in court belong to litigants, not legal practitioners.
The matter returns to court on September 9 for cross-examination.
Online Reporter