AU calls for lifting of sanctions on Zim
THE trial of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union consultant who allegedly tried to con presidential candidate Joseph Busha of US$65 000 continued last Friday with the State indicating that investigations are still being conducted.
Vimbai Mushongera (50) tried to dupe Busha’s organisation, JM Busha 54 Races Trust, by forging emails and signatures.
Mushongera went on to apply for variation of her bail conditions.
Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa granted her application.
According to the State, sometime in 2016, Mushongera was appointed as a trustee in Busha’s Trust.
Like other trustees, she was asked to assist the secretariat to run the affairs of the organisation and also be the country representative.
The court heard she was not entitled to a salary, but an allowance of US$100 per sitting.
It is alleged that in March this year, Busha relieved Mushongera of her duties because of her unbecoming conduct towards other trustees.
She then hatched a plan to defraud Busha and submitted a forged lby him.
In the letter, she allegedly highlighted the nature of her duties and remuneration of US$2 500 per month.
She also forged emails purporting to have been sent to her by Busha claiming she was owed US$65 000 emanating from the forged documents.
Mushongera then filed a letter of demand to Busha written by her lawyers, also supporting the false documents.
However, upon analysing the documents, Busha noticed the misrepresentation and filed a police report.
She was charged with attempted fraud. Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.
ADDIS ABABA. — The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for the immediate removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
According to an AU statement on Saturday, the latest call made by the chief of the 55-member pan-African bloc is in continuity of his call during his visit to Zimbabwe from 18 to 20 February last year, and in support of last Friday’s communiqué of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the issue.
Voices have been heard from different bodies and parties on the continent calling for sanctions to be removed against Harare.
Speaking at an inaugural anti-sanctions event in the capital, President Mnangagwa on Friday said that Zimbabwe is fed up with “illegal Western sanctions” and wants them to be unconditionally removed as soon as possible.
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), on Friday marched alongside their Zimbabwean counterparts calling for removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
The chairperson of the AU Commission has reiterated his concerns that the persistence of economic sanctions imposed by the international community continues to have negative impact on the economy and the people of Zimbabwe.
In this regard, Mahamat has expressed his determination and that of the various relevant organs of the Union to continue to mobilise support for the country’s recovery efforts.
He has commended the Government of Zimbabwe for its efforts to create a conducive environment for economic growth and assured the government and people of Zimbabwe of AU’s continued support towards the country’s road to peace and prosperity for all its citizens. — Xinhua.