Another Legal Setback for Neville Mutsvangwa As Bail Is Denied By Court

Mutsvangwa, along with co-accused Simbarashe Tichingana and Ellis Majachani, who were also denied bail, will reappear in court on May 30 for their routine remand as they await trial.

Court’s Rationale for Denial of Bail

Magistrate Mangosi criticized the state’s claims that the accused might interfere with witnesses, noting that such assertions were unsupported by evidence.

“On interference, it is insufficient for the state to make merely bold assertions without supporting evidence. Evidence was led from IO who submitted that they haven’t interfered with anyone; so the court will consider this not a valid reason,”

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However, Mangosi acknowledged the state’s other arguments against granting bail.

“On absconding, the state has to consider the risks of absconding.

“Police details went to Mumba Money and seized some gadgets and articles where there is evidence of transfer of funds and in his defence the first accused person (Neville) says he has free funds and can buy staff for people who in turn pay him.

It was also added that when the police went to arrest Neville Mutsvangwa, they had to cut down his electric fence and search for him, only to find him hiding from the law officers. Also, being the child of a Minister, the court agreed that Neville has the connections and funds to be a flight risk as he can sustain a livelihood outside the country.

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The court also ruled that the defence by the accused was invalid when it came to Mumba Money. This is because the company is not registered but it was taking payments from clients and dealing in foreign currency. With all this in mind, the court ruled in favour of denying Neville Mutsvangwa bail.

Arrest Details

Neville and his co-accused were apprehended last Wednesday after detectives forcibly entered his residence following his refusal to grant them access. Tichingana was detained after visiting Neville’s home under the guise of a concerned neighbour, while Majachani was apprehended at Mumba Money, a business owned by Neville.