Weekend in jail for US$2m fraud suspect

Yeukai Karengezeka–Court Correspondent 

Commerce Veritas chief executive Martin Tswarai Mutenda, who allegedly defrauded the son of the late Transport Minister and national hero, Cde Joel Biggie Matiza of US$2 million in a botched business deal, will spend the weekend in jail after the State opposed bail.

Mutenda (55), whose company is involved in civil engineering, is appearing before Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei.

The State led evidence from the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Dai Chimutsa, who told the court that there was overwhelming evidence against Mutenda, including some bank statements of receipts of money paid by the complainant, Mr Batsi Joel Matiza.

He also said Mutenda has a South African permanent residency permit making him a flight risk.

Ruling on the bail application would be handed down on Monday.

Det Serg Chimutsa, said Mutenda was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on his way from South Africa.

Mr Batsi Matiza is son to the late Cde Matiza and was appointed executor of the estate of his late mother, Mrs Lillian Matiza.

Prosecutor Ms Mercy Masamvi alleged that in June 2022, Mutenda who was already in the construction business, purported to enter into a construction business partnership with the late Mrs Matiza. 

In this agreement, Mutenda misrepresented to Mrs Matiza that herself, Jorome Leroy and Taurai Negonde, would become directors of the company and that he would be appointed as company secretary. 

Mrs Matiza would be given a payment of US$2 million at the end of the construction project. In exchange for this, Mrs Matiza would provide a pneumatic roller, paver, a roller and office furniture, which she took from her company called Studio Arts (Pvt) Ltd. 

Mrs Matiza died in November last year and her estate was registered with the Master of High Court, and her son was duly appointed as the executor of the estate.

In December last year, Mr Batsi Matiza approached Mutenda asking him to transfer the money due to his mother to the Biggie Joel Trust, where he and his siblings are beneficiaries, but Mutenda refused.

Investigations revealed that Mutenda had misrepresented the structure of the company and payment of the US$2 million. 

As a result of his actions, Mr Batsi Matiza suffered a total prejudice of approximately US$2 million and nothing was recovered.

Millers target importing 1,4m tonnes of maize

Ivan Zhakata and Rumbidzai Mushonga

MILLERS are aiming to bring in 1, 4 million tonnes of maize between now and July 30 utilising all their frontiers to complement Government efforts of ensuring food security during the drought period.

This comes after President Mnangagwa recently declared the 2023-2024 agricultural season a State of National Disaster following the El Nino-induced subdued rainfall patterns which resulted in food deficits, leaving most families in need of aid.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Thursday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairperson Dr Tafadzwa Musarara said they welcomed the administrative decision as it invited external assistance to help in providing the requisite humanitarian relief.

“It is prudent, and in the best national interest, to diversify our source countries so that we mitigate against the risks of overcharging and unstable global geopolitics that continue to disrupt global commerce,” Dr Musarara said.

“We are aiming to bring in 1.4 million metric tonnes of maize between now and July 30, 2024 utilising all our frontiers. Beira port will dock maize shipments for the eastern and northern part of the country.

“Maputo will dock shipments into southern region of the country via Chicualacualla, while Durban will dock shipments into both southern and northern regions. Plumtree and Beitbridge will continue to provide gateway and expedited services for maize from South Africa.”

Dr Musarara said this comprehensive plan will ensure that there are adequate stocks from local millers.

He said these efforts have, in the main, mitigated against effects of continued deteriorating rainfall patterns.

“We applaud the great work done by Government since 2018 in promoting local crop production. 

“The cooperation between the private sector and Government in funding maize and wheat local production is now a template to copy for many African countries. 

“GMAZ has funded, via bankable offtake agreements with Food Crop Contractors Association, more than 480 000 hectares for maize and wheat since 2019. 

“This has provided substantial economic multiplier effects to the economy, supporting local suppliers of seeds, mechanisation and fertilisers among others.”

Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Climate and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos commended private players efforts in ensuring food security in the country.

“It really shows that Government and private sector are working very well, we are all Zimbabweans we all need to be a solution to our challenges.

“The chairman mentioned they already imported 425 000 metric tonnes of maize so we want to ensure that not only that there is availability of mealie meal to the consumers but also affordability”