Court Writer
The trial of a former security company manager accused of trying to silence a witness in a fraud case by kidnapping and bashing him, will continue on July 15 after the defence counsel cross examined the complainant on Wednesday.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38) is facing one count of kidnapping before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
Rondozai allegedly teamed up with four other suspects who are still at large, to kidnap and assault his former subordinate, David Matanda (35), a potential witness in a fraud case.
Appearing for the defendant, lawyer Mr Oliver Marwa put Matanda to strict proof, challenging some of his claims.
The defence counsel asked the complainant to produce documentary proof that he had traveled to South Africa and whether he was in touch with his family during his time in exile between May and December 2025.
Matanda said he used illegal crossing points to leave and re-enter the country telling the court that he feared for his life so much that he could not contact his wife directly during the time he was away.
Mr Marwa asked Matanda to explain how he identified Rondozai as one of his abductors
” He is a person I know because I worked with him for eight years,” Matanda said.
Prosecutors opposed some lines of Mr Marwa’s questioning but Mr Kuhudzai ruled that the defence was entitled to test credibility .
The case was adjourned to July 15 for continuation.
According to the State’s outline, Rondozai and four alleged accomplices who are still at large, committed the offences in May 2025, in Chitungwiza.
Matanda was allegedly abducted from his Zengeza 5 residence after two of Rondozai’s accomplices posed as police officers.
The five suspects allegedly assaulted, handcuffed and blindfolded Matanda before driving him away in a silver Honda Fit vehicle.
Matanda was allegedly detained for eight hours during which Rondozai ordered the complainant not to implicate him in any misappropriation of funds at a security company where the two previously worked together.
The complainant was allegedly assaulted again and asked to reveal how the security company secured business contracts and how it provided security to its directors.
Matanda was later dumped near a bridge along new Chitungwiza Road.
He then fled to South Africa before returning home and reporting the matter at St Mary’s Police Station.