Marondera Businessman Alleges Unfair Treatment by Police, NPA
Francisco Marconati, a prominent businessman from Marondera, has raised serious concerns regarding what he perceives as unfair treatment by the Police Central Investigation Department (CID) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Marconati has accused these institutions of negligence and reluctance in addressing criminal cases he reported against his former business partner, resulting in repeated arrests on what he claims are trumped-up charges.
In a letter addressed to Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, Marconati voiced his frustration over the handling of his cases. He alleged that his former business associate, Li Song, had externalized millions of dollars to offshore accounts, a move that he argues has undermined Zimbabwe’s economy. Despite presenting clear evidence to support these claims, Marconati expressed disappointment in the lack of action from law enforcement authorities.
ALSO READ: ZACC Arrest Trio for Alleged Fraud in Irrigation Land Misrepresentation
One of the cases highlighted in Marconati’s letter involves an attempted murder allegation against Li Song, which was reported at Dornington Police Station earlier this year. Despite recording statements from both the accused and witnesses, Marconati claims that the investigating officers have been reluctant to bring the suspect to court, citing delays and lack of progress in the case.
In his efforts to expedite the legal process, Marconati requested that the case be transferred to CID Homicide Harare due to concerns about potential interference and delays caused by the accused’s connections to high-ranking officials. However, his requests were reportedly denied by the officer in charge at Dornington Police Station.
Furthermore, Marconati highlighted other criminal charges against Li Song, including money laundering and fraud, involving substantial amounts of money embezzled from their business. Despite reporting these offenses to the authorities, he claimed that the cases have not made significant progress.
The businessman also criticised the NPA for allegedly refusing to set trial dates for the matters he reported, citing vague reasons for the delays and raising suspicions of interference in the legal process.
Marconati’s previous legal action against CID bosses for the delay in processing his cases resulted in the dockets being brought to court. However, he expressed concerns that the NPA’s refusal to act on these cases indicates potential interference and a lack of accountability within the justice system.
These allegations highlight broader concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of law enforcement and judicial processes in addressing white-collar crimes and ensuring justice for victims.
