Mugabe laptops looter escapes jail

Published: 26 May 2018

A Harare magistrate has dismissed a bid to cage - pending trial - a soldier who duped former president Robert Mugabe of computers and accessories worth $50 000 for allegedly intimidating witnesses.

Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri had made the application arguing Pepukai Zvakavapano, a Presidential Guard soldier, had scared off witnesses from coming to testify during his trial.

He is facing theft charges.

"The investigating officer clearly stated that he was advised by complainants that they were being threatened when he testified during this application," magistrate Josephine Sande ruled.

"However, the court cannot make a decision based on such reports because those witnesses were not present to adduce the evidence. The complainant's liberty cannot be prejudiced and the court will not confine him to remand prison pending finalisation of his trial."

According to State papers, the complainant is Mugabe represented by Enoch Nyamurima, 52, a provincial intelligence officer in the President's department.

Mukumbiri alleged that sometime in March, Zimbabwe House was to undergo renovations and had Mugabe's household goods, including a printer, computers and accessories.

The court heard that Nyamurima was instructed to transfer the goods from Zimbabwe House to Polloground where five shipping containers had been put to secure the goods in custody.

The goods were transferred and secured in the containers.

On April 3, Zvakavapano and his accomplice Marega were deployed at the five containers location doing perimeter guard duties.

During the night, Zvakavapano and Marega allegedly broke three padlocks on three of the containers and stole various amounts of computer accessories, laptops, desk top computer sets and printers valued $49 982.

It was alleged the property was moved over a precast wall but Zvakavapano and Marega were disturbed by other soldiers on patrol and dumped four boxed laptops, a printer and an empty box of a Xerox printer and disappeared to avoid detection.

Zvakavapano and Marega allegedly returned to take the property from their hide-out point and shared the spoils.

The court heard that Zvakavapano began selling the stuff at giveaway prices in Harare.

- dailynews

Tags: Mugabe,