Former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore’s application for discharge at the close of the state case has been dismissed by a Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba for lack of merit while the state has been put on notice in the trial for Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) director general Dr Gift Machengete after repeatedly failing to respond to his application for exception to allegations of violation of tender procedures.
The former president Mugabe’s son-in-law and his co accused Simbarashe Mutimbe are jointly facing charges of unlawfully detaining Chikore’s former secretary at Air Zimbabwe, Bertha Zakeyo.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mashamba said the central issue in the matter involved freedom which is a fundamental right and based on the available evidence, it was necessary for the accused to be put to their defence so that justice may be served.
She added that the state had managed to prove on the surface that there was a case as the co-accused had admitted having been instructed to close the gate unless the complainant surrendered her phone.
The matter will proceed on the 14th of May.
In another matter at the Harare Magistrates Court, Harare regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya has put the state on notice after it has repeatedly failed to respond to POTRAZ director general Dr Machengete’s application for exception to charges of violating the state procurement procedures.
Mr Mujaya cancelled all bail reporting conditions for Dr Machengete and temporarily released his passport until the 17th of April as the accused intends to go to Switzerland on government business.
Machengete was initially charged for abuse of office before the state made an about turn amending the charges to violation of tender procedures.
Mr Mujaya expressed dismay at the conduct of the state and rebuked head of the anti corruption special task force Mr Thabani Mpofu for having failed to appear before the court to respond to Dr Machengete’s application.
At the next appearance if there is no response from the state, Dr Machengete’s application for exception will be upheld.
-State Media