ZCDC Truck Driver in Court for Alleged Threats to CEO Using VP Chiwenga’s Name
By Judith Nyuke
A truck driver at Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company appeared in court after allegedly threatening the company’s CEO with the name of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, demanding the reinstatement of a suspended Human Resources manager.
Cosmas Kazuzu, 45, allegedly made multiple calls impersonating one Matinyadze allegely from Vice President Chiwenga’s office, threatening to reveal ZCDC officials’ alleged involvement in diamond theft.
Kazuzu appeared before a Harare Magistrate who remanded him in custody to Monday.
Muzuzu’s lawyer Scott Panashe Mamimine informed the court that he will submit an application for bail on his client’s behalf on Monday.
It is the State’s case that on the 5 August 2024, accused contacted the complainant Dr Douglas Zimbango who is Chief Executive Officer at ZCDC purporting to be a member from Vice President Chiwenga’s Office through his mobile number and threatened the complainant that he had a document which was incriminating the complainant for theft and fraud which the complainant had allegedly committed at his work place involving diamonds.
During the conversation, accused coerced the complainant to withdraw disciplinary charges against the company’s Human Resources Manager Lavet Wadawarewa.
On 12 August 2024, the accused person sent a text message to the complainant through his mobile number threatening the complainant with dismissal from his position if he does not drop the disciplinary charges against Lavet Wadawarewa.
The messaged read “Halo Sir ndaida kutaura nemwi, hino madzima phone yenyu. Kususpend Wada Kwemwaita zvinoreva kuti mune munhu wemurikuda kupa post yehuChief HR. Hino isu tinokuyambirayi kuti munhu wenyu iyeye wamuri kuda kupa post iyoyo mukadzi, Munaona kuruza mabasa. Ndati ndikuyambireyi zvenyu nekuti tichazozviteererawo pamberi apo. Ndatenda. Matinyadze VP Chiwenga’s Office”.
Loosely translated “Hello Sir, I wanted to talk to you but you have switched off your phone meaning you have someone you want to appoint for the post of Chief HR. We warn you and beware of losing your job because of that woman you want to appoint for the post. I am warning you because we are going to make a follow up. Thank you. Matinyadze VP Chiwenga’s Office”
On 16 August 2024 at about 0938 hours, accused contacted Elias Mvere the Chief Security Officer at ZCDC through mobile number and the caller identified himself as Matinyadze from Vice President Chiwenga’s office.
Не further revealed that he had phoned him to understand the position on the suspension of Lavet Wadawarewa from his duties and his pending disciplinary case.
During the conversation, accused told Elias Mvere that he was in possession of a document which outlined some criminal activities happening at ZCDC involving the complainant and other senior managers and accused intended to take the document to Vice President Chiwenga if the complainant does not withdraw the disciplinary charges against Lavet Wadawarewa.
On the same date, accused sent a document titled “Developments @ ZCDC” to Elias Mvere through accused’s mobile number 0788 898 and directed that the document be sent to the complainant.
The document allegedly had allegations of theft and fraud against the complainant and other senior managers at ZCDC involving diamonds.
Elias Mvere advised the complainant of the accused; conduct and forwarded the document through WhatsApp to the complainant.
Investigations were done leading to Kazuzu’s arrest.
