Source: Gomwe ruling reversed – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 21, 2017
A MUTARE magistrate Tendai Mahwe yesterday hurriedly released former Zanu PF Harare youth league chairperson Godwin Gomwe from custody hours after he revoked his bail, saying he had made an error.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Gomwe, who is facing allegations of extorting $46 200 from home seekers using First Lady Grace Mugabe’s name, initially had his application for discharge dismissed before his bail was revoked.
Mahwe, who initially presided over the case before he was transferred to Mutare, revoked Gomwe’s bail, saying he needed to secure his attendance before remanding him in custody to November 27.
Gomwe is being charged together with former Glen Norah district political commissar Moses Handiseni, Muchineripi Mupindu, Humphrey Madenyika, Noah Torongah, Fidelis Ndaradza, Haruwandi Munyawiri and Josephine Hadziyendi, who are in custody.
The suspects were initially granted $500 bail each.
Gomwe, whose political career is now set to rise after the dismissal of President Robert Mugabe from the Zanu PF party, received a blow after magistrate Mahwe placed him on his defence, saying he needed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he did not commit the alleged offence.
Allegations against Gomwe and his accomplices are that sometime in February 2015 they participated in a meeting where they instructed complainants to be affiliates of the unregistered Dr Amai Grace Mugabe Consortium.
It is alleged Gomwe told the complainants that this would bring them closer to the First Family and instructed each co-operative to pay $120 as joining fee.
After paying the “joining fee”, they were issued receipts with a Dr Amai Grace Mugabe Consortium letterhead.
The State alleges a report to the police was made after one of Gomwe’s lieutenants, Handiseni, approached consortium members demanding more money.
Venetia Matake appeared for the State.
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