The state has officially withdrawn fraud charges against Beverly Aisha Makoni and Clark Makoni, citing a lack of evidence to proceed with the case. This decision, announced during a hearing in Harare, has led to the dismissal of the case by Magistrate Sharon Rakafa.
Prosecutor Sithembiso Moyo informed the court that the prosecution could not substantiate any claims against the Makonis, prompting the withdrawal of charges. “There is no evidence to support the allegations,” Moyo stated, emphasizing the futility of continuing with the case.
Magistrate Rakafa underscored the redundancy of repeatedly presenting the same allegations in court. “This case cannot be pursued further,” she declared, raising concerns about the state’s prosecutorial strategy and its management of legal proceedings.
The withdrawal comes at a time when similar allegations against the Makonis are already under trial in a regional court, reinforcing the legal principle that a person cannot be charged twice for the same offense. Section 8 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act allows the state to withdraw charges before a plea is entered.
The Makonis’ defense counsel has claimed that Dr. Gideon Gono is using the court system to persecute the couple, labeling the allegations as “malicious, frivolous, and vexatious.” In their defense papers, they argue that influential individuals within law enforcement and government institutions conspired to unjustly target them. “They caused their arrest without any shred of evidence to justify their prosecution,” the statement reads.
With the state’s withdrawal, Beverly and Clark Makoni are now free from legal challenges related to the alleged ownership of Valley Lodge, marking a significant turn in a case that has drawn considerable public attention.
