A GROUP of teachers has approached Prosecutor-General Loice Matanda-Moyo after vetting officers at the Harare Magistrates Court released suspects who were arrested for duping them of their contributions towards a housing scheme.
More than 10 teachers, who are members of the Educators Union of Zimbabwe (EUZ), were summoned from Gokwe to Harare for their case against suspended president Tafadzwa Munodawafa and secretary-general Tafadzwa Zhou, who are being accused of various offences relating to pilfering the organisation’s finances.
The duo was arrested and was set to appear at the Harare Magistrate Court on fraud charges
However, according to a letter of complaint in the possession of NewsDay deposed by Shelton Linde, who is representing the complainants, the teachers strongly suspect the irregularity was influenced by an exchange of money.
“We, the complainants from Gokwe South, write with deep grievance and utmost urgency regarding the manner in which our case number (CR 304/06/25/KOPIE DR104/06/25) was handled by the prosecutors assigned to vet our matter,” they said.
“To our dismay, instead of being afforded our constitutional right to a fair hearing before the courts, we were directed to restitute the accused persons outside the judicial process.
“This was done without our voices being heard and without the matter being placed before a competent court of law.
“We strongly suspect that this irregularity was influenced by an improper exchange of money to conceal the theft committed against us.”
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The teachers said it was a principle of natural justice that the other side be heard.
“Yet in this matter, we, the complainants, were denied this basic legal right. The accused persons were allowed to walk scot free, while we, the victims, were left without remedy,” the EUZ members said.
“We perceive elements of abuse of prosecutorial discretion, as every effort to recover what is due to us has been frustrated.
“We are also disturbed by the actions of the so-called ‘verifiers’, who dismissed the case without giving us audience.
“Is it truly within their lawful duty to dismiss a matter of this nature without a hearing? If so, where does that leave the rights of complainants and the integrity of the justice system?”
They said their conduct undermined public trust and eroded the foundations of justice in our community.
“The prosecutor ignored the evidence that we presented deliberately. Our attempt was thwarted as we were just left at the mercy of the court process which is failing us,” they said.
The teachers said they travelled long distances, overnight, from Gokwe, enduring hardship with the hope of securing justice, but instead, their case was summarily dismissed at verification, which they said compounded their suffering and made them feel abandoned by the very system that is meant to protect them.
“We, therefore, humbly but firmly seek the intervention of your esteemed office to reopen the matter so that it is properly placed before a competent court of law. Ensure that the accused persons are prosecuted in accordance with the law,” they said.
The teachers copied their letter to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and Primary and Secondary Education minister.
EUZ acting president Mollyn Banda, in a memo to members, expressed concern that the prosecutors ordered restitution without giving them a chance to prove the duo stole their funds.
“We challenged this on firm grounds, highlighting that the funds being used for restitution were being unlawfully withdrawn from the EUZ bereavement fund, and we even presented concrete proof. Regrettably, the prosecutor refused to give us an ear,” Banda said.
Munodawafa and Zhou are being accused of swindling the teachers of their contributions. The teachers found out after a bank account used for contributions was closed.
The complainants said three members were refunded.
Munodawafa was recently convicted and sentenced by a Bulawayo court on theft of trust property after she converted the union’s funds meant to pay a member to her own use.
