Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Court Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Statistics Agency board chairperson Naomi Wekwete, who was facing corruption allegations, was on Friday cleared of all wrongdoing after the presiding magistrate granted her application for discharge at the close of the State case.
Wekwete was acquitted before proceeding to her defence after regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa agreed with her that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Magistrate Gofa ruled that the State’s witnesses had acted like defence witnesses because they confirmed what Wekwete had said in her defence.
“The first two witnesses distanced themselves from the allegations and professed ignorance of the charges; they said they knew nothing and had no evidence linking Wekwete to the offence,” she said.
“They were not State witnesses, they were actually defence witnesses. Their statements, which were tendered, confirmed the defence that the accused gave to this court.”
Magistrate Gofa said the third witness, Taguma Mahonde’s evidence claimed that an offence was committed, but did not provide any evidence to support his claim.
“The only person who was alleging that the accused committed the offence was Mahonde, but the evidence on record showed that the three recommendations done by the human resources committee were done with full participation of the committee and no individual influenced the decision.
“The tendered statements were read to Mahonde during cross-examination, supporting Wekwete, proving that everything was done above board and Mahonde ended up saying she may not have been conflicted.
“He also acknowledged that Wekwete didn’t have evidence to show that she had a personal relationship with Mukavhi.
“He also said he didn’t know whether Mukavhi was ever a student at UZ, Mahonde didn’t tell the court what the interest was, however, the law is clear that he who alleges must prove,” she said.
Wekwete was accused of influencing the appointment of her former student, Aliuwiso Mukavhi, as director of Population Census and Surveys.
Through her lawyer Dumisani Mthombeni, Wekwete denied the allegations and told the court that at all times she acted professionally, performed her official duties diligently, in accordance with her mandate and at all times in full consultation with her other committee and board members.
She denied ever abusing her authority, forcing/imposing her will or influencing anyone to make a decision or pass a resolution favourable to Mukavhi or anyone as she had no personal, direct, indirect or pecuniary interest in any of the issues that were tabled before both the Human Resources and Governance committee and the ZimStat board; including the request by Aluwisa Mukavhi for downgrading.
