HARARE - The arrest of two Mashwede Diesel Services employees accused of offering $15 000 to Harare Zanu PF youth leader Jim Kunaka over the construction of a service station in Mbare was not procedural, the court heard yesterday.

Augustine Runesu Chizikani, the lawyer representing Isheanesu Maribha, 34 and Gwezuva Changamire, 35, who are employed by Mashwede Diesel Services as general manager and sales representative respectively said the two were arrested without being made aware of the nature of the offence they had committed.

“The accused persons were not made aware of the nature of their arrest. The mode of arrest was not procedural and it was not according to the law,” Chizikani said.

Giving his oral evidence during the trial, detective assistant inspector Josphat Gowayi argued the two knew the nature of their offence since they did not disagree with police officers who arrested them.

“When I arrested them (Maribha and Gwezuva) they did not resist which shows they knew they had committed the offence. If they had asked me, I could have explained to them,” said Gowayi.

Chizikani told the court the officers followed the dictates of Kunaka who informed them about the alleged bribe.

He also told the court that the two (Maribha and Gwezuva) were approached by one Gunpowder on behalf of Kunaka demanding money so as to stop interfering with their building in Mbare.

Also testifying in court, detective sergent Tauya Gotora told the court he was made aware of the matter the day he was tasked to go to Crown Plaza where the alleged bribe was taking place. He was to take some photos.

Chief Inspector Mutumwa Zvidzayi also told the court the reason why the two signed the trap documents showed they knew of the offence they had done.

The court heard the two Mashwede Diesel Services employees were arrested after they attempted to bribe Kunaka over the construction of a service station in Harare at corner Harare Street and Cripps Road which had been contested by Mbare Residents Committee.

The two allegedly wanted Kunaka to use his political muscle to influence the residents to support the construction of the service station.

The trial will continue on November 29. - Ivan Zhakata