
The trial was expected to continue with the
cross-examination of the State witness who was recently impeached by the court,
George Washaya, the former Natpharm board chairperson.
Prosecutor Brian Vito told the court that there was a new
development that necessitated the postponement of the matter to today. Vito said he will only be in a position to divulge the
developments then.
The court recently declared Washaya hostile and conflicted
as he kept on praising Parirenyatwa as the best Health minister ever after
Timothy Stamps.
The impeachment means Washaya would be cross-examined by
Vito.
Washaya’s testimony on many occasions praised Parirenyatwa
and would at times disown some of the statements he signed.
He told the court that the former Health minister wanted
the best for Natpharm because the company, under Sifeku, was failing to reach
targets set by the government.
Washaya said he erred when he signed the minutes and
statement without consulting his legal representative, saying he did not
realise that what he was doing had legal backlash.
His testimony then irked Vito who then filed an application
to impeach the witness for siding with the defence, but Parirenyatwa’s lawyer
Advocate Mehta said the witness was speaking the truth and the State must not
force him to lie to the court.
According to the State, on June 4 last year, Parirenyatwa
acted contrary and inconsistent with his duties as a public officer by
directing Washaya to end Sifeku’s contract with Natpharm as managing director,
thereby, showing disfavour to her. Newsday
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