KEY POINTS
- A warrant has been issued for former RBZ governor Gideon Gono after he failed to appear in court for a fraud case.
- Gono accuses a local couple of fraudulently claiming ownership of Valley Lodge, but the couple claims the charges are politically motivated.
- The case has faced delays due to an incomplete docket, with allegations of political influence adding complexity.
A Harare magistrate has issued an arrest warrant for former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono after he failed to appear at the Harare Magistrates Courts on Monday for a fraud case.
Gono had lodged a complaint against a local business couple, Beverly Aisha Makoni and Clark Makoni, accusing them of fraudulently altering the directorship of Valley Lodge, a company he claims ownership of.
The case, which dates back to 2017, had been delayed due to an incomplete docket, according to prosecutor Sithembiso Moyo. Gono was expected to be present for the court proceedings, but his absence was unexplained, prompting the warrant.
Allegations of fraud and ownership dispute
The case centers around Gono’s accusations that the couple illegally claimed ownership of Valley Lodge. However, the accused, in their defense, have argued that the allegations are politically motivated. They claim that certain individuals with influence in government and law enforcement have conspired with Gono to target them.
In their court documents, the couple labeled the charges as “malicious, frivolous, and vexatious,” accusing Gono of using his connections to push for their arrest without substantial evidence. According to New Zimbabwe, they maintain that their ownership of Valley Lodge is legal and challenge the validity of the accusations.
Political influence alleged
The defense’s claims of political interference have added complexity to the case. The couple alleges that Gono, along with others in influential positions, orchestrated their arrest without proper justification, using his standing to manipulate the legal system. Despite these claims, the court has continued with the case, issuing the arrest warrant after Gono’s failure to attend the hearing.
Gono’s legal representative, George Mashonganyika, accepted the warrant on his behalf.
The matter had been ongoing since last year, with delays primarily attributed to an incomplete docket, according to the prosecutor. Despite the lengthy process, the court remains committed to addressing the fraud allegations, and the arrest warrant signals a step forward in the legal proceedings.
