Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday appeared
at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for his routine remand and asked the court to
have the trial moved to Bulawayo where he resides.
Initially, Mphoko — who is facing charges of criminal abuse
of office as a public officer — appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Enias
Magate, who released him on $1 000 bail.
Mphoko allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale
Police Station in Harare to release from detention cells, former Zimbabwe
National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma, who
was facing abuse of office.
Yesterday, the former Vice President appeared before
regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya, who remanded him to October 4.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore successfully applied for a
postponement of the matter on the basis that they intended to furnish Mphoko
with a trial date on that day.
However, Mr Mujaya questioned the prosecution on why the
matter had been referred to a trial court when it was not yet ready for trial.
In response, Mr Manokore said the matter was due for trial
but could not proceed as they were still deliberating on the issue of
jurisdiction.
Mphoko’s lawyer, Mr Zibusiso Ncube, then consented to the
application for postponement before requesting for the State papers to enable
them to prepare their defence.
He further indicated that Mphoko had since made a request
to the Prosecutor-General to have his matter tried at the Bulawayo courts.
Herald
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