Sacked Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Minister and Zanu-PF Politburo member Prisca Mupfumira, who is on $5 000 bail
for alleged criminal abuse of office, was ejected from yesterday’s
extraordinary session of the Politburo.
The former minister arrived just before the start of the
meeting at 9am and took her seat among other Politburo members. She, however,
emerged from the meeting before debate started minutes later and left.
Sources said members of the party’s protocol were instructed
to eject Mupfumira from the meeting because her presence was undesirable.
Before entering the meeting room, the erstwhile minister
had attended an anti-sanctions day preparatory meeting at the party
headquarters.
Mupfumira was recently granted bail after spending nearly
two months in custody. She is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office
involving US$95 million.
President Mnangagwa relieved Mupfumira of her duties in
early August on the basis that her conduct was not in line with that expected
of a Government minister.
The President has made it clear that he does not tolerate
corruption, and those engaging in it risked punishment despite their standing
and positions.
The Zanu-PF Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating
Committee (PCC) has since resolved to recall Mupfumira from her position.
Party provincial chairman Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said the
province resolved to recall her from being a Central Committee member and Senator.
Mupfumira’s criminal abuse of office charges date back to
her time as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister.
During her application for bail, it emerged that Mupfumira
had properties in South Africa, Dubai and the United Kingdom.
She was granted $5 000 bail by High Court judge Justice Amy
Tsanga recently, that was coupled with stringent conditions.
Justice Tsanga ordered her to surrender her two passports
or any other travel documents and title deeds of house number 51 Fairway, Mt
Pleasant.
Mupfumira is to report twice a week at Avondale Police
Station, not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at her
Mt Pleasant, Harare, home.
She is set to be charged with fraud and money laundering,
with the State saying it had completed investigations into the fresh charges
and will be ready to commence trial once all due processes have been completed.
Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment