Pardon Dziva, a former public prosecutor involved in the gold smuggling case of Henrietta Rushwaya, has been sentenced to 8 years in prison by the Harare Magistrates Court. Dziva, alongside his co-accused Alex Tombe, was convicted of soliciting a US$20,000 bribe to help Rushwaya secure a lighter sentence for her gold smuggling conviction.
Rushwaya, president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, was arrested in 2020 at Robert Mugabe International Airport for attempting to smuggle six kilograms of gold worth US$330,000 to Dubai. She was convicted in 2023, fined US$5,000, and given a wholly suspended 18-month prison term. The gold she attempted to smuggle was seized and forfeited by the state.
The bribery plot began when Dziva reportedly demanded the US$20,000 bribe from Wellington Takavarasha to facilitate a lighter sentence for Rushwaya. Takavarasha informed Helliate Rushwaya, Henrietta’s sister, who then reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Anti-Corruption Unit (ZACC). Authorities set up a sting operation.
On November 15, 2023, Helliate Rushwaya met with the accused at the CABS Centre, where Tombe attempted to collect the money on Dziva’s behalf. Helliate insisted on handing over the money to Dziva directly. They then proceeded to Kebbab Restaurant in Milton Park, where Helliate gave Dziva the bribe money. The two were arrested immediately after the transaction.
In court, Dziva was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with 2 years suspended for 5 years, on the condition that he does not commit any similar offenses. Tombe was sentenced to 8 years in prison, with 2 years suspended under the same condition.
The case serves as a reminder of Zimbabwe’s efforts to combat corruption within its justice system and the growing scrutiny of public officials involved in illicit activities.