Zanu PF's Matutu walks from US$150k fraud

A Harare magistrate dismissed fraud charges against Lewis Matutu, the Zanu PF Midlands vice-chairperson, after prosecutors failed to substantiate allegations that he stole US$150,000 worth of shares from a mining company. Magistrate Noel Mupeiwa ruled on Thursday that the state presented insufficient evidence to prove that Matutu and four co-accused forged annual returns for Shisib Investments between 2014 and 2017. Defense attorney Moffat Makuvatsine highlighted that prosecutors never summoned Nyaradzo Chirisa, the individual who consistently prepared the contested documents, to testify about the alleged forgery. The complainant further weakened the prosecution by acknowledging he voluntarily transferred shares to some defendants, prompting Mupeiwa to conclude no evidence supported claims of illegal seizure or company interference.