Former health minister David Parirenyatwa’s trusted ally, Newman Madzikwa was today slapped with a 14 months jail term for hiking health levy fees charge.
Harare Regional Magistrate Hosea Mujaya today slapped the former National Pharmaceutical (Natpharm) boss with a 20 months jail term of which six were suspended for good behaviour.
Madzikwa proceeded with this case to defense trial, which was a second count after he was acquitted on the other charge of abuse of office and he was found not guilty in a case where he was accused of corruptly awarding a $10 million tender to a Danish company.
Madzikwa had however applied for an acquittal at the close of the state’s case saying the State had failed to lead evidence nailing him to the offense.
Through his lawyer Harrison Nkomo, Madzikwa had previously argued that some of the State witnesses gave contradicting testimonies, an indication that the allegations were fabricated.
However, all the arguments hit a brick wall after they were all trashed and Madzikwa was sent to prison.
Madzikwa is the one whom Parirenyatwa is being accused of hiring at Natpharm without following proper procedures.
