A shocking twist in the legal proceedings of the Henrietta Rushwaya case has emerged as a Harare public prosecutor, Pardon Dziva, was arrested on bribery charges.
The prosecutor stands accused of soliciting a hefty bribe, a staggering US$20,000, to manipulate the outcome of Rushwaya’s sentencing, aiming for a lighter punishment under the guise of influence over the presiding judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda.
Also Read: Henrietta Rushwaya Fined $5000, Gets Suspended Sentence for Gold Smuggling
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Alleged Scheme Uncovered
Nehando Radio reports that the unfolding events detailed a convoluted plan involving individuals closely connected to the Rushwaya case. According to Nehanda Radio, Dziva allegedly misrepresented himself as a conduit to Justice Kwenda, claiming he could secure a favourable ruling at the High Court, triggering a sequence of events.
The complaint originated from Helliate Rushwaya, Henrietta’s younger sister, a former board member at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
The sequence of events leading to Dziva’s arrest unfolded when an intermediary, Wellington Takavarasha, informed Fungai Mangizvo, an associate of Henrietta Rushwaya, about a proposal to manipulate the sentencing.
A carefully orchestrated trap ensued as the negotiations for the bribe unfolded. Takavarasha and another individual, Progress Maringamoyo, allegedly facilitated the connection between Dziva and the Rushwaya camp. Dziva purportedly demanded a staggering US$30,000 to manipulate the case, later settling for US$20,000.
However, the trap was set when Dziva, in collaboration with Alexio Tombe, attempted to claim the promised bribe at the CABS Centre in Harare. The informant, having raised only half the demanded sum, presented US$10,000 to Dziva, who was promptly arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the CID Police.
Legal Ramifications
Dziva and Tombe, both now in custody pending a bail application, face charges of soliciting bribes and attempting to manipulate the course of justice. The recovered trap money and the detailed account of the attempted transaction are set to serve as critical evidence in court.
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Henrietta Rushwaya’s Pending Sentencing
Ironically Henrietta Rushwaya received what some alleged was a favourable sentence after she was fined US$5000 and given a wholly suspended sentence of 18 months in prison for trying to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai.-iharare
