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INDIAN businessman, Munir Kazi, was acquitted on charges of fleecing foreign currency dealers of US$765 000 yesterday.
Kazi and his accomplice, Andre Hoffman, were freed at the close of the State’s case by magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, who granted their application for discharge.
She ruled that the foreign currency dealers approached the court with dirty hands, as the deal was an illegal transaction which failed, if ever the money existed.
She blasted the State for leading grossly unreliable evidence from the forex dealers, who contradicted each other and none of them categorically told the court that the money was handed over to Kazi as alleged.
The State had said on October 28, 2021, the duo connived with Shingirai Muringi to defraud the forex dealers.
It was alleged that Muringi approached Charles Nyamunda Jounet and told him they had the capacity to provide large sums of Zim dollars in exchange for US dollars.
Muringi allegedly indicated that they wanted US$765 000 in exchange for $17 212 500.
It was alleged that Jounet didn’t have enough US dollars and Muringi asked him to source for more from other dealers.
Jounet allegedly contributed US$28 000, Codwell Muhoni US$100 000, Wisdom Hodzi US$51 000, Rodney Makarutsa US$35 000, Benard Nyangoni US$50 000, Nyevero Chibisa US$87 000, Tinashe Kadzunge US$65 000 and Henry Abraham US$349 000.
The court heard that on the same day, Muringi introduced Jounet, Hodzi and Makarutsa to Hoffman in Avondale.
Allegations were that Hoffman told them that their principal Kazi would transfer the money into their bank accounts.
Magistrate Muchuchuti said no one would genuinely just give away a large sum of money without signing any document.
Muringi is yet to answer to the same charges after the court separated their trials last year.
Online Reporter