Chinese national Ms. Li Song has filed a complaint against Mr. Willem Adamu, an investigation officer with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in Bulawayo, accusing him of wrongful arrest and detention.
In a letter addressed to ZACC chairperson Mr. Michael Reza, Ms. Song claimed she was arrested without reasonable cause.
“On May 8, 2024, after attending the case State vs. Francesco Marconati as the complainant, I was approached aggressively by ZACC Bulawayo inspector Willem Adamu and another female ZACC officer from Harare as I walked towards the car park outside the Harare Magistrate’s Court around 4:00 PM. They blocked me and informed me that I was under arrest for a cyanide case,” Ms. Song said.
“I explained to Mr. Adamu that there was no such case, as the court had already dismissed the false allegations made by Francesco Marconati in March 2023. I suggested we go upstairs to the chief prosecutor’s office to clarify the issue, but Mr. Adamu refused. Instead, he and the female officer grabbed my arms and dragged me to their car.”
Ms. Song further alleged that a false story, including her pictures, was fabricated and published online within 30 minutes of her arrest. At the ZACC office on Herbert Chitepo Avenue, she asked Mr. Adamu to show her the documents justifying her arrest, but he refused.
According to Ms. Song, Mr. Adamu did not provide any documents explaining her arrest until she was taken to court on May 10, 2024, after being detained for two nights. She stated there was no warrant of arrest or any supporting documents.
“He abused his position as a ZACC investigation officer, never communicated with me, and did not speak with the ZIMRA officer who issued the duty rebate for chemicals (hydrated lime and sodium cyanide, which are basic chemicals for a gold processing plant) that our supplier Curechem applied for on our behalf,” Ms. Song said.
“Mr. Adamu arrested me purely under the instruction of Francesco Marconati to ‘fix’ me. I was humiliated and detained in ZACC offices for more than two hours while Mr. Adamu made phone calls looking for documents and preparing a warn and caution statement.”
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Ms. Li Song was forced to sign a warn and caution statement without knowing the charges against her, as Mr. Adamu deprived her of the right to know. He also denied her bail application until the following morning, filed by her lawyer.
Ms. Song is seeking an investigation by Mr. Reza into Mr. Adamu and his officers for obstructing justice, specifically under Section 184(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. She requests that Mr. Adamu be removed from handling any cases involving Francesco Marconati and herself.
“I am also filing this complaint as a report against such conduct, which amounts to abuse of ZACC’s arresting and investigating powers and damages the image of ZACC. I reserve my right to sue Mr. Adamu in his personal capacity for unlawfully arresting and humiliating me.
“It is my sincere hope that we respect the fundamental independence and judicial proceedings as law-abiding citizens. Your kind assistance and prompt action will be greatly appreciated.”
