THERE was drama at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts yesterday
when the wife of ICT ministry permanent secretary Sam Kundishora, Beaulla, was
arrested for recording an audio of court proceedings in which her husband is a
State witness.
Deputy chief magistrate Elijah Makomo, who is presiding
over the case in which former ICT minister is facing criminal abuse of office
charges, had warned the gallery against recording proceedings for onward
transmission to witnesses, saying such action was tantamount to contempt of
court.
Mandiwanzira’s lawyer, Advocate Thembi Magwaliba, had also
complained to the court that the relatives of State witnesses were recording
proceedings on Thursday.
Magwaliba also complained about the behaviour of State
witness Reward Kangai’s son, who allegedly recorded proceedings, saying this
would give unfair advantage to witnesses.
“We have noted that despite your calls, the permanent
secretary’s wife was recording. Police have been involved and investigations
are underway. Previously, it was the son of Kangai and I don’t know why they
are doing that,” Magwaliba said.
Kundishora’s wife was taken by police officers to a police
post at the court before being taken to Harare Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, Makomo dismissed an application for exception to
the charges filed by Mandiwanzira, saying it lacked merit.
The former minister had argued that NetOne was not covered
by the Procurement Act when he engaged Megawatt Company to do consultancy work
after an alleged overpriced tender given to Huawei Technologies.
Makomo said Megawatt was engaged personally by the accused
and it was the actions of the then minister, which violated the procurement
procedures.
The magistrate said it was true that if a company was
giving its services for free, there would be no need for procurement procedures
to be followed, but it was surprising that Megawatt Company, which was
allegedly engaged on a pro bono basis, made an about turn and started demanding
fees after the completion of the project.
Mandiwanzira is accused of criminal abuse of office after
he allegedly engaged the South African to provide services to NetOne without
going to tender.
He is also accused of appointing his personal assistant,
Tawanda Chinembiri, to the Postal Telecommunications and Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe board.
Tapiwa Godzi and Michael Chakandida appeared for the State.
Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment