Harare magistrate Ayanda Ndlamini on Friday acquitted former Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda of indecent assault charges, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200033214/ex-mayor-masunda-acquitted-in-indecent-assault-case">NewsDay</a>.
The complainant in the case was Ropafadzo Sibusiso Chidawu (34), the daughter of the late Harare Metropolitan Affairs minister Oliver Chidawu, who is a beneficiary of the Oliver Mandishona Chidawu Trust.
Magistrate Ndlamini ruled that the State’s case lacked evidence and proceeding to defence would waste resources as well as time.
She said the State had no tangible evidence to prove that, indeed, the complainant was indecently assaulted as alleged.
Ndlamini further noted that the testimony from the witnesses showed some bias considering that the complainant was the one who went to Masunda’s workplace and after being allegedly assaulted, she stayed for more than two hours.
The magistrate ruled that the State failed to prove that Masunda had sexual intentions when he approached the complainant intending to take his office keys. 
Masunda was being represented by Tecla Mapota during trial.
Allegations were that on August 4, 2023, Chidawu visited Masunda’s workplace in Milton Park, Harare, to discuss matters related to the Oliver Mandishona Chidawu Trust.
It was alleged that upon entering his office, Masunda refused to engage with her and physically confronted her, leading to a struggle where she elbowed him.
Chidawu claimed that realising she was being attacked, she decided to record the encounter on her cellphone.
She alleged that while bending over, Masunda grabbed her again, but she managed to free herself by elbowing him.
In a second assault incident, she claimed Masunda charged at her and grabbed her by the waist.
Chidawu claimed that she took the keys from Masunda’s office door, locked herself inside, and recorded the “meeting.”
After about two and a half hours, she returned the keys and left the office. The State contended that she later shared the incident with her subordinate, Truword Kapamara.
In their discharge application, Masunda’s lawyers, Gwaunza &amp; Mapota, highlighted that the complainant had sent a text message thanking him for the “meeting,” which they argued is inconsistent with the behaviour of someone who has been indecently assaulted.
They also pointed out inconsistencies in her testimony regarding when she reported the incident to the police, noting that she initially claimed an August 23 report but later suggested it was made on November 23.
Already, Chidawu had lost four of the six cases she had reported against Masunda, before this latest one.
After his acquittal, Masunda said the acquittal marked “the end of this harrowing and unheard of saga since January 1974 (just over 50 years ago) when I began my involvement in various facets of the legal profession”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Former Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda was accused of indecent assault by Ropafadzo Chidawu. The magistrate ruled that there was not enough evidence and the State's case was weak. Chidawu claimed Masunda assaulted her twice, but Masunda's lawyers showed inconsistencies in her story. Masunda was acquitted and said it marked the end of a long legal battle. Masunda denied any sexual intentions and said Chidawu thanked him after their meeting, which is not what a victim would do. Masunda's lawyers argued that Chidawu's story was not consistent. Masunda had been involved in multiple legal cases with Chidawu before.

Former Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda Acquitted Of Indecent Assault Charges

Lawyers representing former Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, who is accused of indecent assault by Ropafadzo Sibusiso Chidawu (34), have filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the State has failed to establish a prima facie case against him. The hearing is set for October 4.
Ropafadzo is the daughter of the late Harare Metropolitan Affairs Minister Oliver Chidawu. The State alleges that on August 4, 2023, Chidawu visited Masunda’s workplace in Milton Park, Harare, to discuss matters related to the Oliver Mandishona Chidawu Trust.
It is alleged that upon entering his office, Masunda refused to engage with her and physically confronted her, leading to a struggle where she elbowed him.
Chidawu claims that realising she was being attacked, she decided to record the encounter on her cellphone.
She alleges that while bending over, Masunda grabbed her again, but she managed to free herself by elbowing him.
In a second assault incident, she claims Masunda charged at her and grabbed her by the waist.
Chidawu claimed that she took the keys from Masunda’s office door, locked herself inside, and recorded the “meeting.”
After about two and a half hours, she returned the keys and left the office. The State contends that she later shared the incident with her subordinate, Truword Kapamara.
In their discharge application, Masunda’s lawyers, Gwaunza &amp; Mapota, highlighted that the complainant had sent a text message thanking him for the “meeting,” which they argued is inconsistent with the behaviour of someone who has been indecently assaulted.
They also pointed out inconsistencies in her testimony regarding when she reported the incident to the police, noting that she initially claimed an August 23 report but later suggested it was made on November 23.
The lawyers argued that the State has not proven a prima facie case against Masunda, emphasizing that Chidawu had previously lost four out of six cases against him.
They contended that the State had failed to present reliable evidence to secure a conviction and called for Masunda to be found not guilty and acquitted.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Harare mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, is accused of indecent assault. His lawyers want the case to be dropped, saying the State didn't prove anything against him. The accuser, Ropafadzo Chidawu, says Masunda attacked her at his office. The lawyers say her story has many inconsistencies. They also say Chidawu thanked Masunda after the incident, which seems strange if she was really attacked. The lawyers think Masunda should be found not guilty. The court will decide on October 4.

Former Harare Mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, Applies For Acquittal In Indecent Assault Case

The Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) has dismissed reports that there could be a shortage of sugar in the country.
ZSA chairman, Muchadeyi Masunda told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/no-sugar-shortage-looming-in-zimbabwe-zsa/">The Sunday News</a> that the country has adequate sugar on the market as millers resumed operations last month.
Last week, in Bulawayo some shops were only selling one kilogramme of sugar packets with customers allowed to buy only two packets. Said Masunda:
<blockquote>
We can assure the market that there is no shortage of sugar with both Triangle and Hippo Mills having resumed milling at the beginning of the new milling season in April.
</blockquote>
He said that if adequate resources are available, it was possible for the sugar industry to double its installed capacity of producing 800 000 metric tonnes of raw sugar.
Masunda said the sugar industry required vast tracts of land in the Lowveld and a fairly sophisticated water irrigation system to double production.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Sugar Association Allays Fears Of Looming Sugar Shortage

The Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) has dispelled fears of a looming shortage of sugar saying there are adequate stocks of all types of sugar within the country.
ZSA chairman Muchadeyi Masunda said that reports claiming that the country’s major sugar producer, Tongaat Hulett, has suspended production are false.  In a statement, Masunda said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Sugar Association is aware of misleading reports in the media stating that there is a looming shortage of sugar in the country due to the suspension of production by Tongaat Hulett, the country’s major sugar producer.
We wish to advise all our valued stakeholders that these reports are unfounded and incorrect.
There are adequate stocks of all types of sugar within the country following the successful resumption of the milling season in April 2022.
The sugar industry has been operating smoothly without any interruptions and does not expect any disturbances to sugarcane farming, sugar production or the distribution logistics which are currently in place.
We would like to assure our valued customers and stakeholders that the Zimbabwe Sugar Industry remains committed to producing enough sugar for the local market.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Zimbabwe Has Adequate Stocks Of All Types Of Sugar

Tongaat Hulett recently gazetted the recommended retail sugar prices as prices of basic commodities continue to surge. The new sugar prices are as follows:
<blockquote>Brown sugar – $4,99 for 1kg, $9,98 for 2kg, $24,95 for 5kg and $49,90 for 10kg.
White sugar – $5,22 for 1kg, $10,44 for 2kg, $26,10 for 5kg and $52,20 for 10kg.</blockquote>
Over the past few weeks, there was a shortage of sugar across the country which was blamed on hoarding for speculative purposes and panic-buying.
The sugar shortage prompted Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) chairperson Mr Muchadeyi Masunda to issue a statement. The statement read:
<blockquote>As ZSA we urge all retailers and wholesalers to continue behaving responsibly.
We also advise our valued customers that the industry will continue to deliver sugar nationwide to meet normal domestic requirements.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tongaat-gazettes-retail-sugar-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Tongaat Hulett Gazettes Retail Sugar Prices

The Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) said that the country has enough stock to meet the needs of consumers.
ZSA made the announcement following panic-buying of the commodity by consumers across the country over fears of a looming shortage.
There have been sugar stockouts in some of the major retailers in the country as the demand for the product has been surging over the past few.
In a statement issued on Friday ZSA chairperson, Muchadeyi Masunda assured the public that there were enough sugar stocks in the country.
Masunda called on retailers and wholesalers to act responsibly as there are reports that some rogue traders are hoarding sugar for speculative purposes.
<h4>More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/zim-has-adequate-sugar-stocks-zsa/">ZBC News Online</a></h4>

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