Mashwede employees accused of bribing Kunaka seek discharge

Maribha (34) and Gwezuva Changamire (35) through their lawyer Mr Augustine Chizikani argued that the State failed to prove a case against them.

Magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta deferred the matter to December 12 for ruling.
Maribha and Changamire, who are employed as general manager and sales representative respectively at Mashwede Service Station in Mbare, are accused of attempting to bribe Cde Kunaka with US$15 000.
It is alleged the money was meant for protection to allow them to resume construction at the service station in Matapi, Mbare.

During cross-examination detective Chief Inspector Mutumwa Zvidzai said Mbare Residents Committee, where Cde Kunaka is chairman, was registered with relevant authorities.
Mr Chizikani argued that the committee was not registered and there were no reasons for them to bribe Cde Kunaka.

He told the court that Cde Kunaka was the one who sent Shepherd Hwande also known as Gunpowder to demand US$15 000 as protection fees from Maribha and Changamire.

“Kunaka is the one who wanted the money so that people who demonstrated against construction of the service station would stop demonstrating and allow the construction to proceed.
“The payment was made at the dictate of Kunaka,” Mr Chizikani said.

The court heard the two Mashwede Diesel Services employees were arrested after they attempted to bribe Cde Kunaka over the construction of a service station in Harare.
Prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru said the service station situated at corner Harare Street and Cripps Road was contested by Mbare Residents Committee.

Residents were allegedly told that the stand was going to be used as an extension of Matapi police station.

Ms Chimusaru said on June 25, Cde Kunaka was approached by Gunpowder who was acting on behalf of the duo.

Hwande asked Cde Kunaka to use his influence and convince local residents not to demonstrate against the development of the area, the court was told.

Hwande, the court heard, offered Cde Kunaka US$15 000, which he said was from Maribha and Changamire.

Afterwards, the duo allegedly called Cde Kunaka and asked to meet him at Crowne Plaza Hotel where they were eventually arrested after giving Cde Kunaka US$5 000.