The trial of a former company executive accused of kidnapping and bashing a potential witness in a fraud case continued at the Harare magistrates court this week with the defence counsel challenging the credibility of the complainant's claims.
During cross examination, lawyer Oliver Marwa put the complainant, David Matanda, to strict proof and questioned the circumstances surrounding his departure from the country and his subsequent return to testify against the suspect, Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38).
Rondozai is facing one count of kidnapping as defined in Section 93 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and has not yet been asked to enter a plea.
Asked to produce documents showing his travel history, Matanda told the court that he had left and returned to the country through undesignated points.
Matanda told the court that he feared for his life so much that he could not contact his wife directly during the time he was in self-imposed exile between May and December 2025.
Marwa also challenged Matanda to explain how he identified Rondozai as one of his abductors since the incident allegedly happened at night.
"He is a person I know because I worked with him for eight years," Matanda replied.
Marwa said a statement by Matanda's wife to police, did not tally with the complainant's version of events. Matanda' said he could not speak on behalf of his wife with the state opposing some lines of Marwa's questioning.
- Wadyajena seeks passport release
- CCC MP Sithole granted bail
- Sikhala, Sithole case deferred to December
- Senior magistrate in dock over grocery bribe
Keep Reading
Prosecutors argued that the complainant could not testify on behalf of a witness, but magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai ruled that the defence was entitled to test credibility .
The case was adjourned to July 15 for continuation.
According to the state’s outline, Rondozai and four alleged accomplices who are still at large, committed the offences in May 2025, in Chitungwiza.
Matanda was allegedly abducted from his Zengeza 5 residence after two of Rondozai's accomplices posed as police officers.
The five suspects allegedly assaulted, handcuffed and blindfolded Matanda before driving him away in a silver Honda Fit vehicle.
Matanda is said to have been unlawfully detained for eight hours during which Rondozai ordered the complainant not to implicate him in any misappropriation of funds at a security company where the two previously worked together
The complainant was also asked to explain how the security company provided security to its directors.
Matanda was allegedly threatened with unspecified action if he reported the kidnapping and assault to police or if implicated Rondozai in any fraud case.
After being dumped near a bridge along new Chitungwiza Road, Matanda fled to South Africa before returning home and reporting the matter at St Mary's Police Station.
Rondozai's was arrested, but his alleged accomplices are still at large.
