By Takudziridzwa Nyama
The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has confirmed the conviction and six year jail term of Alex Tombe for his involvement in a bribery scheme aimed at securing a lighter sentence for convicted gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya.
Tombe’s accomplice, former prosecutor Pardon Dziva, is already serving a 10-year sentence for his role in the offense.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), states that Progress Maringamoyo, (a legal practitioner who is still at large for his role in this case) approached Wellington Takavarasha who is Henrietta Rushwaya’s colleague and claimed that the former prosecutor Pardon Dziva who was a “runner for the trial judge, could influence the sentence”. Dziva demanded a US$20,000 bribe. Wellington Takavarasha advised Rushwaya’s sister, Helliate Rushwaya about the demand. Helliate Rushwaya reported the matter to the Police Anti corruption unit (PACU).
A police trap was set and an arrangement was made for the money to be handed over somewhere in the CBD in Harare. When Tombe tried to collect the bribe money Helliate insisted on handing over the money to Dziva himself.
Eventually they agreed that the money would be handed over at Kebab Restaurant where both Dziva and Tombe were arrested after receiving US$10,000 in marked bills.
The Supreme Court held that Tombe was guilty because while he was not part of the initial discussions he actively facilitated the handover of the bribe money, knowing that what he was doing was against the law.
His appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court, confirming both the conviction and sentence by the High Court.
According to the NPA, the case highlights that “bribery and corruption in the justice delivery system will not be tolerated.”