adminSadza, of 95/7867 Mpopoma was arrested early last year on accusations that he had on several occasions raised pension notification vouchers claiming that some workers had died and their beneficiaries were claiming the money.
He was said to have committed the offences between 2007 and 2010 when as a pensions officer, was responsible for receiving and verifying pensions notification claims from applicants and make recommendations for payment through approval by the finance manager at Mezzanine Floor at Parkade Centre.
Sadza, who was in custody for nine months last year, was acquitted on Wednesday when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa.
Mr Ruvetsa said in his judgement that the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The magistrate said the burden of proof in every criminal case lied with the State, but there was no evidence to convict the accused.
“There were no witnesses availed to testify as those mentioned in the case were using fictitious names and do not exist at all. The other one, Sehlukene Sibanda, is in South Africa and her address is not known.
“There is no basis for the accused person to be convicted as all the information given was from the investigating officer and the accused should therefore be afforded the benefit of doubt. I accordingly find the accused not guilty and discharged,” said Mr Ruvetsa.
Sadza had pleaded not guilty to all the eight counts.
The State was represented by Mr Jeremiah Mutsindikwa.
derick.khumalo