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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 27228, member: 2262"] The magistrate in Chegutu cleared former Information Deputy Minister Bright Matonga of theft charges related to two tractors valued at almost $200,000. Evelyn Mashawakure made her decision Tuesday after determining the case stemmed from business disagreements rather than criminal actions. She found that Matonga had legal rights to take back the tractors from the white farmer he worked with. The court decided this dispute belonged in civil court since it involved a broken partnership agreement. Cops from Seruwe arrested Matonga in June last year when the white farmer, Mr. Van Breda, claimed he stole the farming equipment. The two men had previously formed a business partnership that went bad. Their relationship fell apart because Van Breda believed Matonga planned to take his farming tools. Matonga must still face court for two additional similar accusations, including one case involving farm implements worth more than $500,000 from the same farmer. Attorney Innocent Muchini represents Matonga through his firm, Muchini and Associates. He expressed optimism about the remaining legal challenges his client faces. Police also arrested Matonga in July last year on separate theft accusations involving irrigation equipment and electrical transformers. These items allegedly belonged to Notayi Mutemasango from Bosbury Farm located in Chegutu. Court documents showed Mutemasango lent electrical boards, cables, and water pumps for use at Matonga's property. The documents claim Matonga stopped the farming partnership but kept using Mutemasango's equipment for himself afterward. When asked about these claims, Matonga stated they were false. Prosecutor Tafadzwa Vhore handled the government's case against him. The magistrate determined that Matonga acted within his legal rights regarding the tractor situation. She mentioned the prosecution failed to demonstrate any criminal behavior that occurred during the business dispute between the farming partners. [/QUOTE]

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