*(🌕) Ex-Minister Karoro blames ZANU PF rivals for fraud charges* VIEW & FOLLOW THIS CHANNEL✅️ https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VagGq6t30LKOGkSspb1w HARARE – Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Douglas Karoro on Wednesday confronted his long-time political rival, Charles Mutukudzi, in court, accusing him of orchestrating his arrest out of political bitterness. Karoro, who is facing fraud charges for allegedly diverting fertiliser meant for his Mbire constituency, claimed the allegations were fabricated by Mutukudzi and another ZANU PF official, Takesure Chikwamba, after he defeated them in internal party elections in 2015, 2018 and 2023. Mutukudzi, testifying as a State witness, said he received a tip-off from another ZANU PF leader that fertiliser was being loaded onto trucks at the GMB depot in Mushumbi under suspicious circumstances involving Karoro. Under cross-examination, Karoro’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, questioned why the report had been made to Mutukudzi, who is not a GMB official. Rubaya suggested Mutukudzi and Chikwamba were using the case as political sabotage, accusing them of launching a smear campaign to block Karoro from contesting the 2023 elections. Mutukudzi admitted he had lost to Karoro in ZANU PF primary elections three times but denied harbouring resentment, saying, “It is human nature to want to win every election.” The defence argued that this statement reflected bitterness and motive. The court also heard that Mutukudzi had withdrawn a statement he made to police after being asked to produce evidence of the alleged phone call that triggered the investigation. Chikwamba, who was ZANU PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson at the time, reportedly supported the complaint and conducted a parallel investigation. The matter continues on Friday.