HARARE – Former Zimbabwe Deputy Minister of Agriculture Douglas Karoro has attributed his current legal woes to his political rivals, Charles Mutukudzi and Takesure Chikwamba, stemming from their repeated losses to him in primary elections in 2015, 2018, and 2023.
Karoro made these statements after Mutukudzi appeared as a State witness in a case where Karoro is accused of illegally taking fertilizer meant for his constituency from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). Karoro denies these allegations.
At the time the allegations surfaced, Mutukudzi served as the Zanu-PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) deputy chairperson, while Chikwamba was the chairperson.
Mutukudzi testified in court that he received a call from another Zanu PF leader, who reported suspicious trucks loading fertilizer at GMB Mushumbi, implicating Karoro.
He stated that he then provided a statement to the police after consulting with DCC chairperson Chikwamba, who reportedly informed him that he was also conducting an independent investigation.
During cross-examination, Karoro’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, contended that the two Zanu-PF DCC leaders were bitter about their primary election losses and fabricated the allegations.
Rubaya suggested they sought to “throw shade” and employ “dirty tactics” against Karoro to prevent him from running in the 2023 elections.
Mutukudzi admitted to losing to Karoro three times in the race to represent Mbire in parliament but denied any bitterness.
Notably, they also lost to Karoro in the Zanu PF primaries in 2023, even while he was on remand for the current allegations.
Mutukudzi asserted that he received authorization from Chikwamba to provide a witness statement to the police against Karoro due to the call he received, not out of bitterness.
However, he also indicated that “It was human nature to want to win every election,” which the lawyer argued demonstrated his unhappiness with the defeats.
The defense also questioned why a report of alleged malpractices at the GMB would go to Mutukudzi, who is not a government official or GMB employee.
The defense suggested this indicated Mutukudzi had a vested interest and that his known animosity towards Karoro led him to quickly involve the police.
Mutukudzi alleged that after receiving the call, he contacted Karoro but later withdrew the statement after being asked to provide evidence to prove the communication.
The matter is scheduled to continue on Friday before Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
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