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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) says it has overwhelming evidence against Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena who was arrested last week on alleged corruption charges.  The 41-year-old legislator was arrested alongside the suspended trio of Cottco employees – chief executive officer, Mr Pios Manamike, marketing manager, Mr Maxmore Njanji as well as Mr Fortune Molai.

The four accused persons, who are out on $200 000 bail each were arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering involving over US$5 million meant for the importation of bale ties, which they used to buy 25 trucks through Mayor Logistics, where Wadyajena is believed to be a director, before allegedly diverting the second order to energy companies.

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc)

In an update last night, the anti-graft watchdog said it was unfortunate that it did not have prosecuting powers and called on responsible authorities to deliver justice to the people of Zimbabwe in general and Gokwe in particular.

“The evidence against Mayor Justice Wadyajena is overwhelming. We have investigated him, seized his assets and issued his arrest.

“But we do not have the power to prosecute. We strongly urge the prosecution authorities to deliver justice for the people of Gokwe and Zimbabwe,” said Zacc in a post on its official Twitter handle.

Following his release on bail, Wadyajena allegedly tried to smuggle to South Africa, his two luxury vehicles – a red 2020 BMW X6 and 2019 Lamborghini – but alert officials at the Beitbridge Border Post seized them.  A Harare magistrate ordered the seizure of the two vehicles as well as a fleet of 22 trucks pending the outcome of his and the accused Cottco employees’ fraud trial that is set to resume on September 8.

Justice Mayor Wadyajena’s vehicles at the Beitbridge Border Post

“We have uncovered the following evidence against Mayor Justice Wadyajena, US$5,834 million stolen from public funds, truck and trailers worth US$1,480 million. Zimbabwe deserves justice,” said Zacc.

National Prosecuting Authority prosecutor Ms Audrey Chogumaira, in her ex parte application, told the magistrate that there was the likelihood of dissipation of the trucks considering that Wadyajena has now appeared in court and might abscond from Zimbabwe despite his bail conditions that include $200 000 bail and the surrender of his title deeds and passport.

The prosecutor said the haulage  trucks, which allegedly constitute proceeds of a crime are now used on transborder business hence they were likely to be shipped out of the country, especially to South Africa where it will be a mammoth to repatriate them back to Zimbabwe.