ZESA BOSS FREED IN 23K LITRES FUEL CASE

Zvikomborero Parafini

ZESA Holdings head of group performance and audit, Obson Matunja, who was facing theft of trust property charges, related to 23 260 litres of fuel, was yesterday acquitted after a full trial.

Regional magistrate Noel Mupeyiwa acquitted Matunja on the basis that the State failed to prove its case.

He ruled that the State failed to prove that he was the one who signed for the fuel.

The complainant was ZESA Holdings, represented by Sydney Gata, the executive chairman.

Allegations were that from January 2018 to December 2019, Matunja would request for fuel coupons from the management services officer for six pool vehicles under his department.

During the period under review, Matunja was allocated a total of 23 260 litres of fuel to re-allocate to his subordinates, the court heard.

Matunja was said to have used a notebook to issue out the fuel and the recipients were made to sign in that notebook as confirmation of receipt.

The State claimed he continued to receive fuel for all the pool vehicles even when his subordinates were away on business.

The Stare failed to prove that Matunja’s subordinates did not receive the fuel when they returned from their business trips, leading to his acquittal.