Former Highfield Member of Parliament Psychology Maziwisa who is facing charges of swindling the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 650 in a botched public relations deal has cleared president Emerson Mnangagwa’s name is his defense testimony today.
Maziwisa (34) and Oscar Pambuka (33) who both pleaded not guilty to fraud charges before magistrate Lazini Ncube argued that their matter is civil.
“The deal was clear and ZPC was happy with the work that we were doing or them. I want to put it on record that the state witness who testified that we came to them with an order of that the then Vice President, now President authorize the deal was a lie.
“I have had so many meeting with President Mnangagwa but at no point i have never eek any fever from him,” said Maziwisa while giving his defense testimony.
He added that he only entered into the deal as a favor to ZPC which was facing challenges of electricity shortages by that time and he wanted clear its name to the public.
Maziwisa is the director of Fruitful Communications, while Pambuka is employed as a media executive.
Five witnesses have testified in the case, including the suspended ZBC boss Tazzen Mandizvidza, bulletins manager Moses Charedzera and former ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro, among others.
In his testimony, Charedzera distanced the broadcaster from the transactions, saying before a public relations consultancy is engaged, a meeting is convened to agree on terms of whether they should be paid.
Gwariro also told court that ZPC engaged Maziwisa and Pambuka under instruction from former Energy minister Samuel Undenge.
The two are appearing before Magistrate Lazini Ncube
