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Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, who is jointly charged with Cotton Company of Zimbabwe bosses on fraud and money laundering involving over US$5,8 million, had his passport temporarily released to allow him to travel to the United Kingdom and Germany on Parliament business.
Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje released Wadyajena’s passport to September 26.
He also relaxed his bail conditions during the period of his travel.
Wadyajena is jointly charged with suspended Cottco CEO Pious Manamike, suspended Cottco marketing manager Maxmore Njanji and another Cottco official, Fortunate Molai, Pierpont Moncroix Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited and Mayor Logistics (Pvt) Limited.
Wadyajena and the Cottco bosses are alleged to have converted money meant for the importation of bale ties and bought 25 trucks through Mayor Logistics, where Wadyajena is believed to be a director, and allegedly diverted a second order for ties to energy companies.
Yesterday, Wadyajena, through his lawyer Mr Oliver Marwa, applied for the temporary release of his passport saying he wanted to attend trade fairs in London and Germany.
The passport was held by the Clerk of Court as part of his bail conditions.
“His work requires him to travel extensively and he had initially asked the court not to ask him to surrender passport to obviate these applications.
“He is set to travel to London and Germany for the purpose of attending a pre-arranged tobacco fair and Zimbabwe Outward Trade Fair from September 3 to 10 and from September 14 to 18 September, respectively.
“He has been cleared by Cabinet to be on the trip and it is funded by Parliament of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Wadyajena and his co-accused were expected back in court on September 8, but Mr Marwa suggested that an administrative warrant of arrest be issued on the day and they will make necessary arrangements on his return.
The State led by Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti consented to the application, before Mr Mambanje released the passport.
The application was made in Wadyajena’s absence. Herald
