By Paul Nyathi|Sources at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) report that the commission has finalised a criminal docket for the former Vice President, Phelekezela Mphoko, and will hand it over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution within the next few days.
“We have completed a docket and soon NPA will commence prosecution over his (Mphoko) abuse of office and corruption charges,” the source said.
Mphoko faces arrest for defeating the course of justice after he abused his power as the then acting president and released the Ex- Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) acting chief executive officer Moses Juma and non-executive director Davison Norupiri from police custody in 2016.
Juma and Norupiri had been arrested by ZACC on allegations of defrauding the parastatal of US$1,3 million.
“Once NPA is done then Mphoko will be picked up for questioning,” the source said.
“We have a strong case against him because he interfered with the investigations and arrests of the culprits during his days in government.
Besides allegations of criminal abuse of office ZACC is also investigating Mphoko over the US$20 000 fuel coupons which he allegedly sold to the black market in Bulawayo.
The coupons were tracked back to Mphoko after ZACC investigated the source of the ZINARA coupons in 2016.
Government sources this week said Zimbabwe is likely to witness an increase of high profile corruption cases being prosecuted after the formation of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
The unit is reportedly poring through tons of documentary evidence which could be used to prosecute cases of grand corruption, with some bigwigs facing arraignment before the courts. The crack unit was established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to improve efficiency in prosecuting graft cases.
Mphoko joins a growing list of former powerful figures who are facing criminal charges. Former cabinet Ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and Walter Chidhakwa appeared in court this week, while another, Samuel Undenge was convicted.
M&T