Mawere fights extradition, gets R50 000 bail

Mawere fights extradition, gets R50 000 bail

MAWERE

• Mawere arrested by Interpol in SA

• Makamba repatriates externalised forex

• High Court thwarts Makamba's freedom bid

• Makamba released, rearrested

• Makamba faces 22 forex offences

• Makamba arrested

By Innocent Chofamba Sithole and Masimba Rushwaya

SOUTH African-based Zimbabwean business magnate, Mutumwa Mawere who was arrested in Johannesburg on Tuesday has been granted a staggering R50 000 bail by the Randburg magistrate court.

However, Mawere’s temporary respite comes on the heels of the shock resignation of the chief executive officer of one of his biggest holding companies, SMM Holdings, Hilary Munyati.

South African police yesterday said Mawere, who was picked up by Interpol on a warrant of arrest issued at the request of Zimbabwean police, appeared for his initial hearing yesterday.

“He appeared today for his first hearing and was granted R50 000 bail. He is due in court again on June 29,” said police spokeswoman Mary Martins.

Martins also reiterated her statement to this newspaper on Wednesday that Mawere had been detained in police cells in Pretoria but did not say whether he had stayed in custody until his court appearance.

Unconfirmed reports of a political hand behind Mawere’s sensational arrest have risen to a crescendo, although the wealthy businessman attributed his predicament to police confusion on the legalities surrounding his case.

Home affairs minister, Kembo Mohadi yesterday declined to disclose details surrounding Mawere’s arrest, saying: “I can only confirm that Mutumwa has been picked up in South Africa. As to how we work with Interpol, I can’t divulge .”

Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, Simon Khaya Moyo also professed ignorance of the official details on Mawere’s case. I haven’t yet been approached, maybe they’re dealing directly with the (Zimbabwean) police,” Khaya Moyo said from his Pretoria base.

Meanwhile, the saga in the empire that Mutumwa Mawere built is unfolding in rather intriguing ways. Munyati made the shock announcement of his resignation at the AGM of one of SMM’s subsidiaries, Steelnet, which was held yesterday at a local hotel.

Munyati preferred to remain mum on the issue when questioned about his unexpected decision.

“I have resigned as the chief executive officer of SMM with effect from tomorrow and, in effect I am no longer the chairman of Steelnet.

“However, Simplicius Chihambakwe has agreed to take over the chairmanship of your company,” Munyati told shareholders.

Pressed as to why he had made the unexpected decision, Munyati said: “I have resigned, simple and straightforward.”

The coincidence of his dramatic decision and the emergence of reports of Mawere’s arrest have however, whipped up speculation that equally striking developments could be ahead of us.

Munyati was the CEO of undoubtedly one of the epitomes of Mawere’s empire growth. SMM is the holding company of Steelnet, whose operating divisions include BMA Fasteners, Hastt Zimbabwe and Tube and Pipe Industries.

SMM holds a 61.05 percent shareholding in Steelnet, and, naturally Munyati was the non-executive boss given his executive position in the holding company.

He has also effectively stepped down as the non-executive chairman of asbestos products manufacturer Turnall Holdings, where SMM also held a 61.05 percent.
From Daily Mirror
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