FORMER African Medical Investments (AMI) directors who were facing charges of theft and fraud of hospital equipment and cash at Trauma Centre Hospital were on Friday acquitted on both charges by regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa.
SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Peter Annesley, Paul Stevenson and Mavis Mushonga could not hide their excitement as they hugged and embraced outside the courtroom soon after the passing of judgement following their application for discharge at the close of the State case.
In his ruling, magistrate Tsikwa said the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused and as such they were entitled to an acquittal. “The State failed to prove an offence against the accused persons and it is admitted that none of the accused stole the property and most of the allegations against the accused persons have not been supported by evidence,” Tsikwa said.
“It was not proved as to whom was the property sold, where and for how much it was sold.”
The court went further to say Dr Vivek Solanki’s directorship in the hospital was not clear so as to enable him to claim ownership of the hospital property.
On funds allegedly stolen from the hospital’s bank account, the court said evidence had not been led as to how much was withdrawn and used by the hospital since at the time of the alleged offence, the hospital was operational.
The magistrate said it was not established as to how much was withdrawn and used by any of the accused persons if at all there was any money that was stolen from the hospital’s account.
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The court further said prosecutor Michael Reza attempted to sensationalise and politicise the matter, but never made any efforts to provide enough evidence to support the State case.
Annesley and Mushonga were represented by Beatrice Mtetwa while Stevenson was represented by Innocent Musimbe.
