– The magistrate who was presiding over the matter Tilda Mazhande …also recused herself citing personal reasons.

State withdraws case against former Arda boss accused of defrauding fugitive Geza.

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | The State was on Wednesday forced to withdraw charges against former Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) former boss, Basil Nyabadza, accused of defrauding war veteran Blessed Geza of US$1,3 million in a land deal.

The withdrawal before plea came after State’s failure to locate Geza who is currently in hiding following police announcements that he is wanted over a slew of criminal charges, including Insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and theft.

The Investigating officer, Hillary Mazhekete told court that he went to Geza’s last known address intending to serve him with summons to attend court and give his testimony but could not locate him.

In an affidavit tendered before Harae regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei, Mazhekete also said Geza was not reachable on his mobile phone.

The magistrate who was presiding over the matter Tilda Mazhande had also recused herself citing personal reasons.

Ndirowei granted an application of withdrawal of the charges by prosecutor Anesu Chirenje ruling that the matter will continue by way of summons.-ZimEye

It is state’s case that October 29, 2020, Geza bought a piece of land from Nyabadza measuring 423504 hectares for US$1 362 000.

The state alleges that Geza was granted sole authority to subdivide, develop and sell the piece of land.

When the agreement of sale was done, Nyabadza allegedly misrepresented to Geza that the piece of land had title deeds and promised to avail the document in a month, but failed to do so.

The court heard that while Geza was in the process of obtaining subdivision permits for the land from the department of physical planning in Mashonaland West province, he discovered that Nyabadza had sold the same land to Velda Estates.

It is further alleged that Geza engaged Nyabadza hoping for an amicable solution only to discover that the agreement of sale had been cancelled without his knowledge.