Netone company secretary Chikutu exonerated from any wrongdoing over false obstruction allegations
The court cleared her of any criminal intent, stated that she was acting within the confines of the law
Harare – Netone company Secretary Plaxedes Chikutu is off the hook and exonerated of any wrongdoing in a case brought against her by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) Tuesday as was previously reported by Express Mail Zim.
Zacc swooped on Chikutu Tuesday after acting on a false tip bordered on allegations of obstructing justice during a criminal investigation into two NetOne employees — Billing Engineer Anotida Munyaradzi and Brand Officer Linda Mutemeri who were accused of unauthorized system access and financial misconduct.
The allegations stemmed from her role in suspending the two employees in July 2024 without allegedly consulting the Human Resources or Loss Control departments, which the prosecution argued breached company protocol.
The false allegations based on court record, states that on Chikutu’s instructions, one of the employees retained and later formatted a company-issued laptop, resulting in the loss of potential evidence.
However, in a ruling delivered at the Rotten Row Magistrates’ Court Wednesday , the court found that there was no evidence to prove criminal intent or obstruction on Chikutu’s part.
It was dismissed during the vetting process.
The magistrate ruled that her action including the subsequent recommendation to reinstate the employees in January 2025 and pay their outstanding salaries were grounded in procedural concerns and did not amount to interference with justice as falsely alleged.
The ruling effectively exonerates Chikutu and the vetting process established that her decisions were made in good faith and in the interest of administrative fairness.
