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Court Reporter
A Harare lawyer who was accused of selling a hotel under the estate of a late businessman Micah Nedi Duro to former RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono and pocketing the proceeds has been acquitted.
Regional magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni acquitted Tinashe Muchivete Zenda (44) of Hungwe and Partners on all three counts of theft, perjury and fraud due to lack of evidence linking him to the offence.

Zenda had pleaded not guilty and was acquitted after a fully contested trial.
He was accused of being paid US$150 000 deposit by Dr Gono’s Lunar Chickens for Kamfinsa Hotel before the transaction was cancelled.
It was alleged that he sold the same hotel to Nigerian businessman Jerome Okeke, who paid US$70 000 for the property which he was selling at US$500 000.

In his defence, Zenda argued that the hotel was not sold to anyone as the sale to Dr Gono was cancelled.
He further argued that Mr Okeke paid US$70 000 and the offer was also cancelled adding that he was looking for a buyer to buy the hotel to offset Mr Okeke’s debt.

The complainants in the matter are Veronica and Kushinga Duro. It was alleged that on March 2, 2009 Micah Nedi Duro died at Harare Central Hospital and his estate was registered with the Master of the High Court before Zenda was appointed as the executor for the administration of the estate.

Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza alleged that on May 10, 2011 the final distribution of the estate was confirmed by the High Court in which it was agreed that Kamfinsa Hotel was to be sold to meet the estate expenses and the balance was to be shared among the late businessman’s 14 children and one surviving spouse.

It is alleged that in the distribution and liquidation account, it was clearly stated that the proceeds from the sale of the hotel should meet estate expenses, legal fees for legal practitioners totalling US$6 000 and the balance was to be shared.

In May 2011, Zenda is alleged to have sold the hotel to Lunar Chickens and received US$150 000 and he used the money for the purpose which was not mentioned in the distribution and liquidation account.

During the same period Zenda allegedly sold the same hotel to Mr Okeke and received US$70 000 as part payment after the first transaction with Dr Gono was reversed.