Chegutu, Zimbabwe – Former Information Deputy Minister Bright Matonga has denied allegations of stealing farming equipment worth over US$500,000 during a court appearance on Thursday before Chegutu Magistrate Ms Evelyn Mashawakure. The case has been postponed to 27 January for cross-examination.
Matonga’s Defense
Represented by his lawyer, Mr. Innocent Muchini of Muchini Attorneys, Matonga argued that the disputed tractors were left at his farm in 2021 as security for unpaid dues by the complainant, Mr. Dave Van Breda. Matonga also claimed the complainant had taken the tractors without his knowledge, prompting him to report the matter to Chegutu police, who intercepted the equipment at Selous and returned it to his farm.
Matonga maintains his innocence, asserting that the equipment’s presence at his farm was part of an unresolved joint venture with Van Breda.
Prosecution’s Case
The State, represented by Mr. Tafadzwa Vhore, accuses Matonga of unlawfully taking the farming equipment from Van Breda, leading to his arrest in June 2024.
Additional Charges
Matonga faces further legal trouble, as he was arrested in July on separate charges of stealing irrigation pipes and electricity transformers. He has also denied these allegations.
History of Legal Challenges
This is not Matonga’s first encounter with the law. In 2019, he was cleared in a case where he was accused of defrauding a Malawian national, Kelvin Chipeta, of US$10,000 in a botched currency deal involving demonetized Zimbabwean dollar notes. The complainant later withdrew the charges, leading to the case’s dismissal.
Next Steps
The court has set 27 January for cross-examination in the ongoing case. Matonga’s legal troubles have reignited public scrutiny of his post-ministerial activities and raised questions about accountability in high-profile legal matters.
Stay tuned for updates as the case unfolds.