Former health minister David Parirenyatwa’s trusted ally and Natpharm manager Newman Madzikwa has been acquitted after magistrate Hosea Mujaya cleared his name of any wrong doing.
Madzikwa was dragged to court facing abuse of office charge and he was found not guilty in a case where he was accused of corruptly awarding a $10 million tender to a Danish company.
Giving his ruling, magistrate Mujaya ruled that the State had conceded that it had no evidence to prove that a crime was committed.
However, the other side of the case was sour for Madzikwa after Mujaya ruled that he must proceed to defense trial in the second count where he stands accused of hiking health levy fees from four percent to 15 percent.
He said Madzikwa has a case to answer and there is a need to clear the air on such a price hike.
The ruling came after Madzikwa had applied for an acquittal at the close of the state’s case saying the State has failed to lead evidence nailing him to the offense.
Through his lawyer Harrison Nkomo, Madzikwa argued that some of the state witnesses gave contradicting testimonies, an indication that the allegations were fabricated.
During trial, Madzikwa’s case took a dramatic turn when the State applied to have an unscheduled witness testify.
The matter will proceed to defense trial on 31 May 2019.
