By Milton Marima
Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES) Executive Director Martin Zharare has been acquitted of fraud charges by the Kadoma Magistrates’ Court after the court ruled that the State had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
In a ruling dated September 23, 2026, trial magistrate P. Manhibi granted an application for discharge made by the defence at the close of the State’s case, finding that the evidence presented was insufficient to justify placing Zharare on his defence.
Zharare had been charged with fraud under Section 136 of the Criminal Law Code.
The State called several witnesses, including Wallace Matavire, Cecilia Gumbi, Lambert Gomana, Mrs Pesvani and the investigating officer, in an attempt to substantiate the allegations.
However, the court found that the evidence showed the inputs in question had been distributed in accordance with established procedures.
It noted that Zharare was not present when the inputs were collected and that there was no evidence that he had converted them for personal use or abused the distribution process.
The magistrate also observed that the inputs had been given to the intended beneficiaries and questioned the allegation of misrepresentation, noting that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the alleged offence.
In granting the defence application under Section 198(3), the court concluded that the State had failed to present sufficient evidence to warrant Zharare being placed on his defence.
The court consequently found Zharare not guilty and acquitted him, bringing the proceedings to an end at the close of the State’s case.
The court victory for Zharare would be good news to a section of CAES members who had continued to rally behind him despite the said boardroom coup that saw his former ally Chief Samuriwo who had declared himself the new director.
The CAES has been a vocal player in the fight against economic sanctions placed on Zimbabwe by the west and today the organization is participating in the SADC Anti-Sanctions Commemorations in Bindura.