News / National
MDC-T officials' trial date set
09 Apr 2013 at 03:23hrs | Views
The trial date for four MDC-T officials accused of compiling illegal "dockets" against Government officials has been set for May 13.
Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Mehluli Tshuma, all former public prosecutors, and Warship Dumba, a former Harare councillor are facing charges of impersonating the police, possessing articles for criminal use and breaching the Official Secrets Act.
The quartet yesterday appeared before Mr Donald Ndirowei who remanded them to May 13 for trial in court 3. Chief Law officer Mr Michael Mugabe told the Court that the State was now ready for trial. Harare lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa who was arrested together with the four, and is facing charges of obstructing the course of justice for allegedly trying to block the arrests, also appeared before the same magistrate and will stand trial on May 27.
Representing the State, acting Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Rex Zvekare told the court that the docket was now complete.
Allegations against the four arose on March 17 when detectives received information that they were in possession of dockets they were privately compiling to discredit the judicial system. It is alleged, in the dockets, they claimed that the police and the AG had failed or refused to investigate cases of corruption involving prominent people in Government.
It is alleged the four had documents of police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri's background and another titled "Case for a full investigation into the Ministry of Lands-System of issuing offer letters 1 September, 2009".
A team of detectives went to Mpofu's residence and found some of the documents, including a laptop and a pistol.
The State alleges that the suspects indicated that they were legal advisors to the Prime Minister and researching on alleged corruption and criminal abuse of office and the appointment of Comm-Gen Chihuri.
Investigations also revealed that the accused were being bankrolled by the Institute for a Democratic Alliance for Zimbabwe, the court heard.
Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Mehluli Tshuma, all former public prosecutors, and Warship Dumba, a former Harare councillor are facing charges of impersonating the police, possessing articles for criminal use and breaching the Official Secrets Act.
The quartet yesterday appeared before Mr Donald Ndirowei who remanded them to May 13 for trial in court 3. Chief Law officer Mr Michael Mugabe told the Court that the State was now ready for trial. Harare lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa who was arrested together with the four, and is facing charges of obstructing the course of justice for allegedly trying to block the arrests, also appeared before the same magistrate and will stand trial on May 27.
Representing the State, acting Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Rex Zvekare told the court that the docket was now complete.
It is alleged the four had documents of police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri's background and another titled "Case for a full investigation into the Ministry of Lands-System of issuing offer letters 1 September, 2009".
A team of detectives went to Mpofu's residence and found some of the documents, including a laptop and a pistol.
The State alleges that the suspects indicated that they were legal advisors to the Prime Minister and researching on alleged corruption and criminal abuse of office and the appointment of Comm-Gen Chihuri.
Investigations also revealed that the accused were being bankrolled by the Institute for a Democratic Alliance for Zimbabwe, the court heard.
Source - TH
