President Mnangagwa cleared all charges against former judge Benjamin Paradza. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced on May 23. Paradza faced corruption charges back in 2006 but ran away before his sentencing. Courts found him guilty of trying to bribe three judges. The pardon wipes away his criminal record completely.
Paradza wanted judges to help his business partner, Russell Labuschagne. Labuschagne needed his passport back to travel for work. Police held the passport because Labuschagne faced murder charges over a death at his fish farm. Paradza offered money to judges and promised them deals worth thousands of dollars. Justice Cheda secretly recorded these conversations and turned Paradza over to the authorities.
Family members pushed for Paradza to come home because he suffers from a serious illness. Sources say the former judge needs medical care from relatives. Keeping him in prison would cost the government extra money for his treatment. Paradza always claimed he did nothing wrong and said the judges set him up. The pardon means he can return without facing jail time.
Paradza wanted judges to help his business partner, Russell Labuschagne. Labuschagne needed his passport back to travel for work. Police held the passport because Labuschagne faced murder charges over a death at his fish farm. Paradza offered money to judges and promised them deals worth thousands of dollars. Justice Cheda secretly recorded these conversations and turned Paradza over to the authorities.
Family members pushed for Paradza to come home because he suffers from a serious illness. Sources say the former judge needs medical care from relatives. Keeping him in prison would cost the government extra money for his treatment. Paradza always claimed he did nothing wrong and said the judges set him up. The pardon means he can return without facing jail time.
