THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched
a manhunt for former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who reportedly
dramatically escaped from ZACC investigators on Monday afternoon.
ZACC, in collaboration with other law enforcement agents,
has literally “sealed” the country’s borders to ensure the politician does not
flee to other countries.
Mphoko faces arrest over criminal abuse of office charges. Said
ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure: “The position remains the same
and Mr Mphoko’s whereabouts are still not known. Our officers are still on the
ground looking for him.
“We are working closely with other law enforcement agents
on the case and we have since alerted all the border posts to prevent his
escape.”
On Monday Mphoko had agreed to surrender himself to ZACC
officers at a Bulawayo police station, but he beat a hasty retreat and sped off
movie-style, leaving the investigating officers shell-shocked.
He is being accused of criminal abuse of office after he
unlawfully instructed junior police officers to release from cells, former
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) acting chief executive Moses
Juma.
Juma was being charged with criminal abuse of office. Mphoko allegedly committed the offence when he was still
Vice President of Zimbabwe.
Mphoko, who reportedly resisted arrest on Saturday at his
home, on Monday agreed to meet ZACC officers at a police station in Bulawayo.
His lawyers had gone to ZACC offices to submit his
statement, but the investigators demanded his appearance before them.
That is when they agreed to meet at a neutral venue, being
a police station in Bulawayo. Mphoko then indicated that he was on his way to
the police station for the recording of his warned and cautioned statement.
Upon arrival at the station, Mphoko drove off at high speed.
Herald
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