Mabamba bail hearing today

FORMER Chitungwiza deputy mayor and councillor for Chitungwiza Ward 25 Fraderick Mabamba was yesterday remanded further in custody to today pending finalisation of his bid for bail.

Mabamba initially appeared in court on Wednesday and is still filing his bail application.

Mabamba is facing allegations of illegally parcelling out land to desperate home-seekers around Chitungwiza.

The investigating officer, Moreblessing Gandiyaru, in opposing bail said his arrest was after the local government minister was sent by the president following a public outcry in Chitungwiza following floods that affected people recently and it was discovered that they had built on wetlands sold to them by Mabamba without council approval.

Mabamba is facing 18 counts of fraud involving U$13 million and $845 billion in local currency with the investigating officer claiming he sold residential stands to over 5 000 people, some on wetlands.

He was not asked to plead to the allegations when he appeared before regional magistrate Stanford Mambanje.

“There were prominent people who were shielding him. He had protection 24/7 but it is now gone.

“The minister was sent to Chitungwiza by the President and he brought information to me as the investigating officer,” he said.

“He has been arraigned before the courts but the cases have been stagnant showing that there is force behind,” the cop claimed.

The State is opposing his admission to bail saying he is a man of means who will easily flee if he is granted bail.

It is also alleged that there are two other pending cases of fraud against him before the courts which the cop claimed are not moving as a result of the backing he had.

The State also alleged Mabamba is prominent in Chitungwiza with several charities including a community ambulance which will make him interfere with witnesses as the people will be sympathetic to him.

The State so far has tendered 31 agreements of sale between Mabamba’s housing cooperative and home-seekers which the State said show that they have overwhelming evidence against him.

“If the court may take judicial notice that the accused was arrested after a public outcry in Chitungwiza following what has been termed a national disaster which was initiated by him,” the State submitted.

During cross examination, Mabamba’s lawyer said he would not flee as his passport is expired and that if he had wanted to flee, he could have fled from the two other charges which are pending before the courts.

Mabamba was remanded in custody to today for the continuation of his bail application which was cut short due to time constraints.