Gomwe denied bail, remanded to June 17

By Tarisai Machakaire

HARARE – Godwin Gomwe, Zanu PF’s Harare youth league chairperson, will further languish in remand prison after a magistrate denied him bail yesterday on charges of abusing First Lady Grace Mugabe’s name in an alleged extortion racket.

Gomwe is jointly charged with Muchineripi Mupindu, Hamphrey Madenyika, Norah Toronga, Fidelis Ndaradza, Haruwandi Munyawiri and Josephine Hadziyendi.

They were remanded to June 17.

They face allegations of extorting $46 200 from home-seekers.

Provincial magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe concurred with the State arguments that Gomwe and his accomplices had a record of contempt of court and could skip trial if freed on bail.

“A person who is prepared to defy a high court order will most likely do the same if it is a lower court,” Chikwekwe said.

“I am convinced that the accused persons can abscond and not stand trial if released.

“Further to that, there is a string of references of cases that are held at different police stations where the accused persons were involved. The cases are a reflection of a ticking time bomb that ought to be curtailed from exploding.”

Chikwekwe was convinced that Gomwe tried to interfere with the investigating officer by arranging a private meeting.

He said hearsay evidence was admissible in bail applications and it was possible that Gomwe was suicidal as alleged by the State.

“There is a possibility that the first accused person was up to some mischief”, Chikwekwe said.

“The State cannot be blamed for presenting evidence that he was found in possession of a pistol and rat poison.”

Reza had brought a pistol and rat poison to court which was recovered by police from Gomwe while allegedly trying to commit suicide.

Gomwe was represented by John Ndomene while his co-accused is represented by Rungano Mahuni.

Both lawyers claimed there was a smear campaign against their clients.

Prosecutor Michael Reza alleged that Gomwe chaired a meeting in February and instructed complainants to sign-up to an unregistered consortium in the name of Dr Amai Grace Mugabe Consortium.

Gomwe allegedly instructed each cooperative to pay $120 joining fees.

After paying the money, they would be issued with receipts letter headed Amai Dr Grace Mugabe Consortium.

The complainants thought they were able to work on the land but were surprised when Moses Handisen came to the site demanding more money from them. Daily News