HARARE – Corruption accused Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) managing director Pious Manamike and his marketing and business development manager Maxmore Njanji have been granted ZW$100 000 bail each.
The two were arrested last week on allegations of using donated inputs to campaign for Njanji who is eyeing a Zanu PF post in Mazowe Central.
In granting the two bail, Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje said the two were unlikely to abscond considering that they stayed in the country while aware that they were being investigated.
“This court is of the view that the accused are unlikely to flee. They knew investigations pertaining this matter were underway yet they did not run.
“They also handed themselves to the ZACC offices,” said Mambanje.
Allegations against the two followed an audit which was carried out in December last year.
The State alleges Njanji abused COTTCO resources to fund his political ambitions.
He is reportedly eyeing the Mazowe Central National Assembly seat under Zanu PF membership.
The seat is currently occupied by Zanu PF’s Sydney Chidamba.
Njanji reportedly distributed knap sacks, motorcycles and bicycles belonging to COTTCO to his supporters in the constituency.
