The trial of former health minister David Parirenyatwa failed to resume on Monday when the presiding magistrate did not turn up.

Court officials said magistrate Elijah Makomo was indisposed owing to poor health and the trial was delayed until April 23.

Parirenyatwa’s trial, on hold since 2018, has been postponed on several occasions for various reasons.

Parirenyatwa is accused of showing favour to Newman Madzikwa when he appointed him managing director of the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm), replacing Nancy Sifeku who had reached retirement age and was allegedly not up to the task.

Prosecutors say Madzikwa is Parirenyatwa’s relative.

During the early days of the trial, Dr George Washaya, the former NatPharm board chair, accused the police of fiddling with his statement to incriminate Parirenyatwa.

He said what was before the courts was far removed from what he stated during investigations.

Washaya exonerated Parirenyatwa, testifying that Madzikwa’s appointment was a decision by the entire ministry and not by Parirenyatwa alone.

He also told court that Sifeku, who was replaced by Madzikwa, was no longer competent, adding that she had reached retirement age after 12 years at NatPharm.

As the drama unfolded, Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi at one time asked to make a special intervention, telling the court that he was still “considering the matter,” despite the fact that the trial has already started.

Hodzi had also previously instructed the prosecution to stop Parirenyatwa’s trial for criminal abuse of office.

-ZimLive