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Isau Hondora

Midlands Correspondent
PROMINENT Gweru socialite and show promoter, Esau Hondora who was last week sentenced to 12 months in prison is out of jail.

Hondora, 33, together with his accomplice Proud Mhaka heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday when Gweru Magistrate, Judith Taruvinga, ordered their immediate release from Whawha Maximum Prison.

Taruvinga released Hondora and Mhaka on $100 bail after the duo applied for bail pending appeal against conviction and sentence at the High Court.

“The appeal against conviction and sentence is granted. The accused are released on $100 bail,” said Taruvinga.

Hondora and Mhaka had on Monday, been found guilty of robbing Mushmo Land Investment Trust chief executive officer — Robson Vungani of $950 and a cellphone.

Taruvinga had sentenced the duo to 12 months in prison and suspended three months of their sentence on condition of good behaviour. A further three months were also suspended on condition that the duo pays Vungani, $950 before June 30.

Hondora said though he was initially frustrated by being put into the cells, he was now recovering.

“I didn’t understand why someone would accuse me of robbing him of such a small figure yet I’m always handling big amounts of money at various shows I’ve co-hosted.

“There’re international shows where I’ve dealt with over $100,000 and it’s shocking for a person to claim I stole $900 from them,” Hondora said.

The show promoter said he was working on Alick Macheso’s show in Bulawayo next week.