Chegutu Magistrate Evelyn Mashawakure has acquitted former Information Minister Bright Matonga, who was arrested on June 25, 2024, for allegedly stealing farming implements worth approximately US$500,000.
Mashawakure ruled that the matter was a civil dispute arising from a breach of a joint venture agreement and said that there was no evidence to support the claim that Matonga committed the alleged offence.
Matonga was accused of stealing farming equipment from his business partner, Van Breda.
The former Deputy Information Minister has a history of controversy. In 2016, he was blamed for the decline of Chigwell Estate in Chegutu, which had previously supported the livelihoods of about 500 people and contributed $4 million annually to Zimbabwe’s revenue through exports.
In July 2020, Matonga was listed as a beneficiary in the controversial Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Farm Mechanisation Scheme, part of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.
He was included under the “Politicians” group and received goods worth US$359,420.00, according to the list published on July 18, 2020. 
The beneficiaries of the programme never repaid the money, and instead, the debt was shifted onto taxpayers.

Pindula News

Former Information Minister Bright Matonga was acquitted of stealing farming equipment worth $500,000. The court ruled it was a civil dispute, not a crime. Matonga was accused by his business partner of stealing the equipment. Matonga has a history of controversy, including being blamed for a decline in an estate that supported many people. He was also listed as a beneficiary in a controversial farm scheme that shifted debt to taxpayers.

Bright Matonga Acquitted Of Alleged US$500,000 Farming Equipment Theft

Former Deputy Minister of Information, Bright Matonga, who was arrested last month on allegations of stealing farming equipment, has been arrested again, for theft.
Following his arrest on 25 June 2024, Matonga was subsequently granted US$600 bail by Chegutu Magistrate, Evelyn Mashawakure.
However, Matonga’s legal troubles appear to be far from over, as he has now been arrested once more, this time on accusations of theft of irrigation pipes.
Matonga’s lawyer, Innocent Muchini of Muchini Attorneys told The Herald that Matonga was arrested on Wednesday morning on allegations of theft of irrigation pipes. Said Muchini:
<blockquote>
He called me in the morning over the issue. The allegations are not clear. I am driving to Chegutu to attend to the matter and will share all the information once I get the facts.
</blockquote>
When Matonga was arrested last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) outlined the charges he was facing as follows:
<blockquote>
Count 1
The accused person is facing allegations of theft emanating from an incident which happened on the 10th of December 2021 when he unlawfully took two John Deere tractors belonging to the complainant from Monchris (Landos) farm in Selous and took them to his farm. The accused person owns the Chigwell farm in Chegutu. The tractors are valued at USD70 000 and were both recovered.
Count 2
The accused person is jointly charged with his employee, Wasili Wisili on allegations of theft. The State is alleging that on the 19th of February 2016, the complainant, Talbec Investments Pvt Ltd represented by David Leonard Van Breda entered into a joint venture with the first accused person who is the owner of Chigwell farm in Chegutu. The agreement gave the complainant farming rights on the said farm for up to 15 years. Upon occupying the farm, the complainant equipped the farm with farm implements and machinery valued at USD414 888. The complainant only operated on the farm for six years before his employees were evicted by the first accused person on the 11th of December 2021 and they left behind all their farm equipment, implements as well as consumables. It is alleged that sometime in December 2021, the first and second accused persons instructed Chigwell Farm employees to open the warehouse at the farm and load farming equipment and implements belonging to the complainant onto vehicles on multiple occasions. They took the farm implements to a destination unknown to the State.
</blockquote>
Matonga served as the Deputy Information Minister in the cabinet of the late former President, Robert Mugabe.
In 2016 Matonga was reported to have been blamed for the rundown of Chigwell Estate in Chegutu. It was reported that the farm before Matonga took over would sustain the livelihood of about 500 people and help Zimbabwe’s annual revenue with $4 million in exports.
In July 2020, Bright Matonga was listed, in the BSR of 18 July 2020, as a beneficiary in the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.
He is listed under the thematic group “Politicians”. According to the list, he got goods worth US$359,420.00.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bright Matonga, a former government official, was arrested for theft again. He was previously accused of stealing farming equipment, and now he is accused of stealing irrigation pipes. His lawyer is working on his case. It seems Matonga has faced legal troubles before, and even when he was a minister, his farm was reported to have caused problems. In the past, he benefited from a farm mechanization scheme. Matonga was once a Deputy Information Minister in Zimbabwe.

Bright Matonga Arrested For Theft, Again

Former Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga was on Thursday, June 27, granted US$600 bail by the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court following his arrest on Tuesday on two counts of theft.
The two counts have been outlined by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as follows:
<blockquote>
Count 1
The accused person is facing allegations of theft emanating from an incident which happened on the 10th of December 2021 when he unlawfully took two John Deere tractors belonging to the complainant from Monchris (Landos) farm in Selous and took them to his farm. The accused person owns the Chigwell farm in Chegutu. The tractors are valued at USD70 000 and were both recovered.
Count 2
The accused person is jointly charged with his employee, Wasili Wisili on allegations of theft. The State is alleging that on the 19th of February 2016, the complainant, Talbec Investments Pvt Ltd represented by David Leonard Van Breda entered into a joint venture with the first accused person who is the owner of Chigwell farm in Chegutu. The agreement gave the complainant farming rights on the said farm for up to 15 years. Upon occupying the farm, the complainant equipped the farm with farm implements and machinery valued at USD414 888. The complainant only operated on the farm for six years before his employees were evicted by the first accused person on the 11th of December 2021 and they left behind all their farm equipment, implements as well as consumables. It is alleged that sometime in December 2021, the first and second accused persons instructed Chigwell Farm employees to open the warehouse at the farm and load farming equipment and implements belonging to the complainant onto vehicles on multiple occasions. They took the farm implements to a destination unknown to the State.
</blockquote>
Wasili Wisili is also out of custody on US$100 bail.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Deputy Minister Bright Matonga Released On US$600 Bail

Former information Deputy Minister Bright Matonga has been arrested, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200028771/former-deputy-minister-matonga-arrested-over-theft">NewsDay</a>, Matonga was arrested on allegations of stealing agricultural inputs valued at US$424 888.
The report said Matonga was detained at Seruwe Police Station, Chegutu, and was expected to appear in court at Chegutu Magistrates Court.
In a statement, the ZRP said Matonga was arrested in connection with two reports of theft made by farmers who were leasing his farm. Reads the brief statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms that Bright Matonga has been arrested by Police in Chegutu in connection with two reports of theft made by farmers who were leasing his farm. A warrant of arrest was duly issued by the courts.
</blockquote>
The ZRP said more details about the arrest will be released in due course.
Matonga served as the Deputy Information Minister in the cabinet of President Robert Mugabe.
In 2016 Matonga was reported to have been blamed for the rundown of Chigwell Estate in Chegutu. It was reported that the farm before Matonga took over would sustain the livelihood of about 500 people and help Zimbabwe’s annual revenue with $4 million in exports.
In July 2020, Bright Matonga was listed, in the BSR of 18 July 2020, as a beneficiary in the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.
He is listed under the thematic group “Politicians”. According to the list, he got goods worth US$359,420.00.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Deputy Information Minister, Bright Matonga, Arrested

The former Information deputy minister, Bright Matonga, and former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chief executive, Happison Muchechetere, have been appointed into the Mashonaland West chapter of the newly constituted Zanu PF Veterans of the Liberation Struggle League (ZVLSL).
Matonga and Muchechetere landed posts as secretary for information and chairperson, respectively during the ZVLSL’s inaugural provincial meeting held in Chinhoyi on Saturday.
Despite being only 11 years old when Zimbabwe attained political independence in 1980, Matonga, now 52, told NewZimbabwe.com that he was trained at the war front in 1978 during the country’s liberation struggle.
Matonga said when the ceasefire was announced, he led a youthful group of collaborators who volunteered to move to Manyewe assembly point in his rural home of Mhondoro-Ngezi.
According to Matonga, Muchechetere was trained in Tanzania and was also the first commander of Gaza Province and deployed to lead the insurgency against the colonial regime in Beira.
On the creation of the ZVLSL, Matonga said the new organisation is not in competition with but aims to complement the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chaired by Christopher Mutsvagwa and similar organisations. He said:
<blockquote>For the sake of clarity, there is a need to appreciate that veterans of the struggle can belong to the same war veterans association, but be affiliated to different political parties, hence the Politburo saw it prudent to establish the new wing.</blockquote>
The ZNLWVA has been closely aligned to the ruling party and the formation of the new wing could be a move by Zanu PF First Secretary, President Emmerson Mnangagwa to consolidate his power as the older war veterans organisation is said to be embroiled in factionalism.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/matonga-muchechetere-land-posts-in-new-zanu-pf-war-vets-wing/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

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