Warrant of arrest for dead Zimbabwe lawyer

Warrant of arrest for dead Zimbabwe lawyer

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By Staff Reporter

A DEAD Zimbabwean lawyer faces his trickiest case yet -- his own trial!

A Harare magistrate issued a warrant of arrest against lawyer, Oscar Ziweni, who was facing a $160 million fraud charge related to the ENG Asset Management saga.

The warrant was issued after the court orderly called out his name thrice. Obviously, Ziweni, who died recently after a short illness did not answer the orderly's call -- and magistrate, Rodin Mzyece, ordered his arrest.

Blessing Mhande, the prosecutor, said the court has to be furnished with Ziweni’s death certificate for the case to be closed.

The late Ziweni represented two youthful directors of the now defunct ENG Asset Management, Gilbert Muponda and Nyasha Watyoka, on charges of defrauding investors of $61 billion in December 2003.

The State alleged that in November 2003, the general manager of National Discount House, Innocent Rwodzi, was given a $157 million loan by ENG which Ziweni was later instructed by Muponda and Watyoka to collect on their behalf.

Rwodzi allegedly repaid the loan with interest to the tune of $164 502 498,52.
The State further alleged that Ziweni was then instructed by the pair to pay their other lawyers, Mawere and Sibanda Legal Practitioners, $50 million – which he did, but later demanded a refund.

On February 26 2004, the late Ziweni allegedly wrote to Mawere and Sibanda Legal Practitioners demanding the refund, which he later converted to his use.

In March last year, ENG liquidator Regis Saruchera received information that the late Ziweni had abused the money and subsequently wrote a letter to him to remit the funds - Daiyl Mirror
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