State Drops Charges Against Former ARDA Boss as Geza Remains Missing

The State has been compelled to withdraw its case against former Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chairperson Basil Nyabadza, who was accused of defrauding war veteran Blessed Geza of US$1.3 million in a land deal.

The case was withdrawn before plea due to the prosecution’s inability to locate Geza, who is currently on the run. Authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest on multiple criminal charges, including allegedly insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and theft.

Investigating officer Hillary Mazhekete informed the court that efforts to serve Geza with a summons at his last known address were unsuccessful. Additionally, attempts to contact him via mobile phone also failed, as stated in an affidavit submitted before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei.

Meanwhile, magistrate Tilda Mazhande, who was originally presiding over the case, recused herself, citing personal reasons.

Following these developments, prosecutor Anesu Chirenje applied for the withdrawal of charges, which Ndirowei approved, ruling that the matter may proceed by way of summons if necessary.

According to court records, Geza purchased a 423.5-hectare piece of land from Nyabadza for US$1,362,000 on October 29, 2020. The agreement reportedly granted Geza exclusive rights to subdivide, develop, and sell the land.

However, Nyabadza allegedly misrepresented the status of the property, claiming it had title deeds and promising to provide them within a month—something he ultimately failed to do.

While Geza was in the process of obtaining subdivision permits from the Department of Physical Planning in Mashonaland West, he discovered that the same land had been resold to Velda Estates. Attempts to engage Nyabadza for a resolution proved futile when Geza learned that the agreement of sale had been canceled without his knowledge.

With the key complainant still missing, the case remains unresolved, leaving the possibility of future legal proceedings if Geza is located.

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