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Court Reporter
A SINO-Zimbabwe driver who was accused of impersonating the son of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been found not guilty.

Benwell Garufu (32) of 5526 Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, was facing a charge of impersonating a public official.

Harare magistrate Mrs Victoria Mushamba acquitted Garufu for lack of evidence.

She ruled that the State failed to prove a prima facie case against Garufu.

“The evidence of State witnesses in manifestly unreliable and could not be corroborated by police officer who also testified during the trial,” said Mrs Mushamba.

In his application for discharge at the close of the State case Garufu, who was represented by his lawyer Mr Tawanda Takaindisa, said he was happy with himself and did not to impersonate anyone.

“The complainant simply wanted to garner unnecessary media publicity through falsehoods and malice. The accused person is happy with his identity and does not wish to be called Mnangagwa Junior,” said Garufu.

“The evidence of police officers was totally different with that of the complainant. Police officers said they never heard the accused person claiming that he is Mnangagwa Junior or a member of the CIO yet complainant claimed the opposite.”

The complainant was Andrew Manongore of Highlands, Harare.

Prosecutor Moleen Murozvi-Sibanda alleged that on May 27 Manongore was a guest at Sulumani Chimbetu’s bash.

Around midnight, the invited guests started presenting presents before introducing themselves.

The court heard that Garufu then went on stage with an accomplice who is still at large and introduced himself as Mnangagwa’s son and member of the Criminal Intelligence Organisation.

However, Manongore – who is related to the Vice President’s family – was surprised by Garufu’s claims because he had never seen or heard of him before.

Manongore then reported the matter to the police leading to Garufu’s arrest.