Chombo passport release case takes a new twist

Former Cabinet minister, Ignatius Chombo, who is in the courts fighting for the release of his passport which was illegally confiscated had his case dismissed by the magistrate court as the court has no power to give an order to have the passport released.

Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube dismissed Chombo's application for the court to order the clerk of court to release his passport.

"The accused's passport was released through the right formalities. It was the court's decision to give the accused his passport and some security agent seized it, which is illegal and a contempt of court," said Magistrate Ncube.

In dismissing that application Magistrate Ncube however said, "The high court granted the bail application to the accused person and this court has no power to give an order to have the passport released."

Last week Chombo was forced to abort his trip after security agents forcibly took his passport at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.

A senior Harare prosecutor, Tapiwa Kasema was arrested on criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly consented to the release of a passport belonging to Chombo, who is facing several corruption allegations.
 
Chombo's passport was released to him after the National Prosecution Authority consented to his application for the release on the grounds that he wanted to seek medical attention in South Africa.

During the November 2017 coup which deposed former President Robert Mugabe, Chombo, who is facing several corruption allegations, was Finance minister.

Previously, he had served in the Home Affairs, Local Government as well as Higher and Tertiary Education portfolios.

Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko had released Chombo's passport and postponed his matters to June 27, with the prosecutor Tapiwa Kasema's consent.