ACTING Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi alleges that
some senior officials are trying to interfere with State witnesses involved in
the case of suspended chief magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe who appeared in court
yesterday.
Guvamombe, who was hauled before the court on charges of
criminal abuse of office, has since been granted $3 000 bail coupled with
stringent conditions after appearing before Harare magistrate Mr Munamato
Mutevedzi.
He was arrested on Friday on allegations of offering
industrial attachment to two former Cabinet Ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and
Supa Mandiwanzira at the Harare Magistrates’ Court in full knowledge that the
duo were facing charges of corruption before the same courts. The ex-ministers
are studying law at the University of Zimbabwe. In an interview yesterday, Mr
Hodzi said a police report has since been made.
“As far as the chief magistrate is concerned, we have
gathered that there are some influential people that have been attempting to
interfere in his case. There are witnesses who were being forced to change
their statements. We want to assure the public that this case will be dealt
with to the fullest extent of the law.”
The acting PG said he was not in a position to name the
culprits for fear of jeopardising ongoing investigations.
“Investigations are continuing and we don’t want to
jeopardise the process. I can assure the people that we are on top of the
situation and we will not be intimidated.”
The PG’s Office, Mr Hodzi added, has made headway in
unravelling some of the criminal networks involved in grand corruption.
“We now have an idea of what we are dealing with and we
have made some breakthroughs. In the fullness of time, everything will be
revealed. These cartels include members of the judiciary, the media and NPA
officials.”
Mr Hodzi said his office is also looking into allegations
by top Harare lawyer Advocate Slyvester Hashiti of corruption in the judiciary.
“Mr Hashiti made serious allegations pertaining to
corruption of the judiciary. I have asked him to come forward with the
information and we will do all we can to act on any matter that is brought
forward,” he said.
Yesterday, Mr Mutevedzi granted Guvamombe bail after he
ruled that the State, which was represented by Messrs Michael Reza and Zivanai
Macharaga, failed to submit compelling reasons to deny bail. The State
unsuccessfully claimed that Guvamombe was likely to interfere with witnesses
once released.
State witness Mr Clemence Mashawu of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police (ZRP)’s Anti-Corruption Unit, who is the lead investigating officer in
the case, alleged that the accused had threatened some witnesses. Mr Mashawu
also claimed that Guvamombe had also directed Harare provincial magistrate
Elisha Singano to give him key case files.
But the defence, led by Mr Jonathan Samukange, who was
assisted by Messrs Farai Nyamayaro, Arnold Taruvinga and Steady Kachere, said
the case files were meant to assist in preparing the accused’s defence.
Guvamombe was ordered to surrender his passport and
prohibited from traveling 50 kilometres out of Harare. He will also report
thrice a week at Harare’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Further, he
was ordered to surrender surety of property worth more than $30 000.
Guvamombe will appear for routine remand on 25 January.
Sunday Mail
0 comments:
Post a Comment