HARARE – Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) director general Taguma Mahonde has been freed on US$200 bail by a Harare magistrate in a matter in which the top civil servant faces fraud charges.
Mahonde, 53, of Gono Street in Malborough, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) last Tuesday for allegedly claiming US$4,000 school fees allowance for a child who does not exist.
In granting him bail, Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa dismissed the state’s contention that Mahonde was not an ideal candidate for bail as he was facing a serious offence.
“The seriousness of the offence is not a valid reason to bar this court from granting the accused bail.
“The State witness even agreed that there is no offence since even the board passed the resolution proposed by the accused.
“The accused has a right to be seen as innocent until proven guilty.
“This court therefore finds that he is a suitable candidate for bail.
“Therefore, the accused shall pay US$200 bail to the clerk of court, surrender his travel documents, not interfere with witnesses and reside at his given address.”
The top civil servant also faces a charge of contravening the Prevention of Corruption Act and an alternative charge of obstruction of justice.
According to the state, Mahonde received US$4,000 from ZimStats by claiming school fees allowance for a non-existent child.
It is further alleged that when ZACC instituted investigations into his alleged offence in March this year, he tried to cover up the offence by refunding ZW$756 047.33.
However, this only amounted to US$826 equivalent as he had used the interbank rate of the day.
