News / National
Zimbabwe has no fuel to take Tsvangirai ally to court
30 Mar 2011 at 05:58hrs | Views
The trial of Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma, who is facing charges of buying fuel without going to tender, failed to continue on Tuesday because prison officials said they did not have fuel to bring him to court.
High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu postponed the matter to today after prosecutor Chris Mutangadura told the court Mangoma could not be brought to court.
"I learnt this morning that the accused (Mangoma) would not be brought to court," Mutangadura said. "I contacted officer in charge, Harare Remand Prison, and he told me there is no fuel. I suggested that we could provide transport, but I was advised that the accused could not be brought to court using one vehicle."
Mangoma's lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa confirmed Mutangadura had tried in vain to bring the minister to court. Prison officials also turned down Mtetwa and Finance minister Tendai Biti's fuel offer.
Mtetwa told the court: "It is just the irony of this matter that the minister was charged for procuring fuel and just two days from his incarceration we are told prisons have no fuel.
"We expect that next week, we will not be having fuel since all Noczim officials, including the permanent secretary, are spending most of their time here in court."
The minister, who is facing another charge involving a Zesa tender, was represented in another court at the High Court where he was granted bail but the state immediately invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act to keep him in prison for at least another seven days.
High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu postponed the matter to today after prosecutor Chris Mutangadura told the court Mangoma could not be brought to court.
"I learnt this morning that the accused (Mangoma) would not be brought to court," Mutangadura said. "I contacted officer in charge, Harare Remand Prison, and he told me there is no fuel. I suggested that we could provide transport, but I was advised that the accused could not be brought to court using one vehicle."
Mangoma's lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa confirmed Mutangadura had tried in vain to bring the minister to court. Prison officials also turned down Mtetwa and Finance minister Tendai Biti's fuel offer.
Mtetwa told the court: "It is just the irony of this matter that the minister was charged for procuring fuel and just two days from his incarceration we are told prisons have no fuel.
"We expect that next week, we will not be having fuel since all Noczim officials, including the permanent secretary, are spending most of their time here in court."
The minister, who is facing another charge involving a Zesa tender, was represented in another court at the High Court where he was granted bail but the state immediately invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act to keep him in prison for at least another seven days.
Source - Byo24News
