THE trial of former Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira which kicks off today at the Harare Magistrates Courts has generated interest in media circles.

The Nyanga South legislator allegedly awarded a contract to Megawatt Company without going to tender and directed NetOne to pay $4 million for the service, and $1 million for consultancy.

Mandiwanzira is also alleged to have seconded Tawanda Chinembiri to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority board without following due process, which prejudiced the telecommunications regulator of $35 000 from allowances drawn by Chinembiri.

“The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists is following with keen interest the legal challenges facing journalist and publisher, Supa Mandiwanzira,” Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general Foster Dongozi said.

Mandiwanzira is a former journalist who worked for Zimpapers’ Manica Post and The Herald before joining State broadcaster, ZBC, as a business reporter and main news anchor. He also worked for Al Jazeera among other international media networks.

Mandiwanzira owns a multimedia company, AB Communications which runs national radio station, ZiFM Stereo; metro radio stations Hevoi FM in Masvingo, 98.4 FM in Gweru, production house Mighty Movies and Business Times, a business and financial newspaper.