Former Energy and Power Development Minister Dzikamai
Mavhaire, who had been summoned by the State to testify against former Zimbabwe
Power Company (ZPC) chairperson in a bribery case, was yesterday issued with an
arrest warrant after he refused to be part and parcel of the ongoing case.
The former ZPC boss, Stanley Kazhanje, is accused of
receiving a $10 000 bribe from businessman Wicknell Chivayo to influence him
not to cancel a 100MW solar project tender awarded to his company.
The prosecution listed Mavhaire as one of its witnesses and
summons were sent to him.
Mavhaire did not show up in court yesterday and prosecutor
Mr Brian Vito furnished the court with an affidavit from the police officer who
served him with the summons.
In the affidavit, the police officer narrated how Mavhaire
had told him that he was never going to attend the trial.
The prosecution then applied for an arrest warrant against
Mavhaire which was granted by magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya. The matter was
rolled over to tomorrow for trial.
It is the State’s case that on October 23, 2015, Kazhanje
signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract of a 100MW solar
panel station project with Intratrek Zimbabwe.
It is alleged Kazhanje failed to declare his interests. ZPC paid Intratrek advance payments of $1 236 154 for the
implementation of the project.
Intratrek did not fulfil its obligation and this resulted
in ZPC management suggesting termination of the contract.
The State alleges that on January 21, 2016, Kazhanje
received $10 000 into his Barclays Bank personal account from Intratrek’s CBZ
Bank account.
Kazhanje, in his capacity as the chairperson of ZPC board,
presided over a meeting in which it was resolved that the power utility pay for
services direct to Intratrek subcontractors instead of terminating the
contract.
It is alleged this resulted in ZPC paying $4 387 849 as
advance payment to Intratrek. Herald
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