ZB heist suspect challenges money laundering charg...

ZB heist suspect challenges money laundering charges after acquittal

Zim Now Writer

Denis Madondo, one of the individuals initially accused in the high-profile US$2.7 million ZB Bank heist, has launched a legal challenge against the money laundering charges he now faces. Madondo argues that prosecuting him for money laundering related to the same funds involved in the robbery case, for which he was acquitted, is illogical and constitutes double jeopardy.

Madondo’s trial commenced before Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere, where he asserted his innocence. The State alleges that following the heist, Madondo embarked on a spending spree using the stolen money. Specifically, the prosecution claims he purchased a Mercedes Benz worth US$9,000 and was found in possession of US$62,500, the source of which he could not adequately explain.

However, Madondo contends that the facts presented by the State in the money laundering case are identical to those in the robbery trial where he was cleared of any wrongdoing. He argues that the current charges are essentially retrying him for the same alleged actions.

“This time around, the property is included as an exhibit in the present case of money laundering where it is suspected again that it was acquired through the commission of an unknown crime,” Madondo stated in his defense. “Thus, insofar as the US$62,500.00 cash is concerned, the alleged act in both offences against me remains the same as that of possessing cash suspected to have been acquired through commission of a crime.”

Madondo further argued that if the money laundering trial proceeds, he would be tried for an offense related to an act for which he was already acquitted. He specifically cited his possession of the US$62,500 and the Mercedes Benz, both suspected to have been acquired through criminal activity, as the core elements of both cases.

Madondo, along with Tendai Zuze, Never Mwamuka, and Shadreck Njowa, was initially arrested in connection with the disappearance of US$2.7 million intended for delivery to several ZB Bank branches in Chinhoyi. Zuze was acquitted by the High Court last year due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.