By A Correspondent-The State was on Monday told to take seriously proceedings into the matter in which former Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo is accused of corruptly parcelling out State land and duping home-seekers through his cooperative.

Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje said the State was supposed to respond to Chombo’s application challenging his placement on remand on the six counts of corruption-related charges.

“The accused made an application on April 15 and the State has not responded. 

“The State should respond before end of day today (yesterday) and should take the proceedings seriously,” said Mr Mambanje.

Prosecuting, Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa undertook to respond to the application before Chombo returns to court on Friday.

In his application prepared by his lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Chombo said the State had failed to name the people whom he allegedly duped and the amounts they lost. 

-State media