MOSES MADYIRA
CHIKOMBA—Chivhu Regional Magistrate, Sam Chitumwa has acquitted popular Chivhu business tycoon, Kestry Muzana of charges of operating lodges without a Tourism License.
Muzana (45) was arrested by Chivhu CID on 06 October 2023 for contravening Section 36 of the Tourism Act Chapter 14:20 for operating a lodge / hotel without a valid Zimbabwean tourism license.
The state accused Muzana of operating Mhofu Lodges located at stand number 691, Light Industry without a valid Zimbabwean Tourism License. He was also facing another similar charge of operating former Zimbabwe Hotel now known as Muzana Hotel without a valid license.
In his defense outline, Muzana cited Section 35 of the Tourism Act which states that Hotels and Lodges are designated and graded by the Minister so his argument was that neither Muzana Hotel nor Mhofu Lodges were not designated by the Minister.
He further argued that if the lodges were designated, the state must bring in the Minister of Tourism so that he may cross examine him.
In delivering his judgment, Chitumwa said evidence brought by the state was far from proving a case as it was manifestly unreliable that no reasonable court could act on it.
…..Stima prosecuted for the state.
