Zengeza West legislator and lawyer Mr Job Sikhala was
yesterday barred from representing two parliamentarians facing allegations of
demanding a $400 000 bribe from a local businessman after the committee set up
by Parliament to investigate the matter ruled that there was conflict of
interest due to his role as a Member of Parliament.
Mr Sikhala was representing Messrs Anele Ndebele (Magwegwe)
and Prince Sibanda (Binga North), who are facing the allegations together with
Mr Temba Mliswa (Norton) and Cde Leonard Chikomba (Gokwe Kabuyuni)
The four were members of the now disbanded Mines and Energy
Committee and are accused of demanding the bribe from Mr James Ross Goddard of
JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd as a “facilitation fee” to enable him secure a
contract to mine coal at Hwange.
The Parliamentary Privileges Committee charged with investigating
the matter and chaired by Chief Fortune Charumbira ruled that Mr Sikhala was
conflicted in the matter since he was part of Parliament and would take part in
debate when the results of probe are brought up in the House.
Mr Sikhala said he would consider taking up the matter with
the High Court arguing his clients were being denied their right to a lawyer of
their choice as enshrined in the Constitution.
“I will consult with my clients for instructions but might
make an urgent chamber application because my clients are being denied their
right to a lawyer of their choice,” he said.
The hearing was then adjourned to today after lawyers
representing Mr Mliswa and Cde Chikomba requested documents pertaining to the
matter.
Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara is representing Mr Mliswa while
Mr Simon Musapatika is representing Cde Chikomba.
Following the alleged request for the “facilitation fee” Mr
Goddard alerted Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Vice President
Kembo Mohadi.
Mr Goddard’s firm reportedly advised that it could not meet
the demand and that it went against the principles that JR Goddard Contracting
has been operating under since inception in 1982.
Furthermore, it was reportedly brought to the attention of
the legislators that their demand was a serious challenge to President
Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption efforts. Herald
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