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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
The Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe public relations officer, Michael Kosana, who is accused of denying police access to financial documents linked to alleged misuse of US$563 623 for a housing project, was yesterday issued with a warrant of arrest.
Kosana (44) is jointly charged with TUZ chief executive Manuel Nyawo (43). The pair is accused of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe issued Kosana with an arrest warrant after he failed to turn up for court. Nyawo was remanded to May 27.
The pair is out of custody on US$100 bail each.

Prosecutor Mr Farai Gatsi alleges that in November 2013, a TUZ Ushewokunze Housing Project committee member reported alleged fraud in the scheme to the police.
The court heard that investigations showed that Nyawo and Kosana were the overseers of the project and were in custody of its financial records.

It is alleged that efforts to recover the documents were fruitless as the pair refused to release them to the police.
On March 5, an application for a search warrant was granted and detectives proceeded to 184 Little Acre in Belvedere, Harare where TUZ offices are located.

Detectives introduced themselves to the receptionist who told them that the accused were out of office.
It is alleged that Nyawo was informed on his mobile phone of the intention to seize documents on March 10.

On the said date detectives visited the office and Nyawo was nowhere to be seen, leading them to conclude that he was being evasive.
The police returned to the offices two days later and found the gate closed, but they knocked on it after realising that there were people inside the premises.

It is alleged that a general hand —Pauline Chiyangwa — approached the gate and turned away after being asked to open it, prompting the officers to climb over the gate.

The court heard that they found the main screen door locked and the receptionist went to the backyard.
When they followed her there, another employee — Phephile Malinga — told the detectives she had strict instructions not to allow them into the offices.