Two Africom Holdings bosses and a Global Satellite Systems director, who were accused of illegally possessing, controlling or working a radio station, were yesterday acquitted of the charges.
This was after the three applied for acquittal, arguing the allegations levelled against them did not constitute an offence.
Africom acting chief executive Simba Mangwende, non-executive director Farai Rwodzi and Global Satellite Systems director Oliver Chiku argued allegations levelled against them did not disclose any offence.
Provincial magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini ruled in their favour.
Jarabini upheld the exception application by a team of lawyers comprising Lewis Uriri, Innocent Musimbe and Nikita Madya on the basis the State had not challenged and addressed the defences application.
He ruled the very small aperture terminal which was installed by Africom was not a radio station and not part of the 18 radio stations covered by Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
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Initially the three were charged with espionage, but the State later dropped the allegation, preferring to charge them with contravening Section 33 (i) of Potraz, which makes it an offence for one to illegally possess, control or operate a radio station.