Rodwell Kudzanai Chikadza, believed to be in South Africa, skipped bail when his trial was supposed to resume last week. A warrant of arrest has been issued against him.
Allegations against Chikadza are that between July 2010 and April 14 last year, he misrepresented to Father Claudius Luphahla that the police, prosecutors, magistrates, assessors, clerk of court, judge and journalists, wanted money so that he could not be incarcerated for trying to get a licence fraudulently.He claimed the story was now known by his superiors.
However, Chikadza constantly demanded money from him until it amounted to US$25 000. But Father Luphahla later realised that he was being duped and reported the matter to the police leading to Chikadza’s arrest. Only US$6 500 was recovered.
Chikadza had pleaded not guilty to fraud arguing that the priest also actively participated in the commission of the offence.He wanted the Catholic priest to be charged with incitement and conspiracy to commit crime as he was the one who enticed him to commit the crime.Chikadza made the application through his lawyer, Shepherd Chamunorwa of Calderwood, Bryce and Hendrie Legal Practitioners.
