News / National
Tsvangirai's ally appears in court
29 Jul 2013 at 17:43hrs | Views
The MDC-T Deputy National Chairman and Deputy Minister of Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development, Mr Morgan Komichi, who was arrested on Sunday has appeared in court facing charges of fraud and contravening the Electoral Act after he was found in possession of ballot papers.
The charges against Mr Komichi arose after he allegedly took, opened, destroyed and or interfered with a pack of ballot papers which he claimed were for a police constable Mugove Chiginya.
Mr Komichi is alleged to have reported that Constable Chiginya's ballot papers were destroyed because he had voted for the MDC-T under the special vote conducted on the 14th and 15th of this month.
According to state papers, Constable Chiginya did not vote on the special vote day and investigations conducted through an ultra violet detector revealed that the police officer never voted.
The accused is denying the charges and is arguing that he was supposed to be treated as a state witness, adding that ZEC officials are the ones who should be arrested.
Mr Komichi, who is represented by Mr Andrew Makoni, filed a bail application saying there is no likelihood that he will be convicted and therefore no chances to abscond.
Mr Makoni further submitted that the Mr Komichi's arrest was a political gimmick to stifle the MDC-T's campaign during this election time.
The state, represented by Mr Michael Mugabe argued that Mr Komichi is facing a serious offence and if granted bail while investigations are still in progress, the offence will be trivialised.
Mr Mugabe said the offence allegedly committed by Mr Komichi has the capacity to cause alarm and despondence as well as discrediting ZEC and the whole electoral process.
Meanwhile, the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Chrispen Makedenge told the court that they are still investigating the matter.
He revealed that one Michael Phiri is alleged to have brought the ballot paper to Mr Komichi.
The charges against Mr Komichi arose after he allegedly took, opened, destroyed and or interfered with a pack of ballot papers which he claimed were for a police constable Mugove Chiginya.
Mr Komichi is alleged to have reported that Constable Chiginya's ballot papers were destroyed because he had voted for the MDC-T under the special vote conducted on the 14th and 15th of this month.
According to state papers, Constable Chiginya did not vote on the special vote day and investigations conducted through an ultra violet detector revealed that the police officer never voted.
The accused is denying the charges and is arguing that he was supposed to be treated as a state witness, adding that ZEC officials are the ones who should be arrested.
Mr Makoni further submitted that the Mr Komichi's arrest was a political gimmick to stifle the MDC-T's campaign during this election time.
The state, represented by Mr Michael Mugabe argued that Mr Komichi is facing a serious offence and if granted bail while investigations are still in progress, the offence will be trivialised.
Mr Mugabe said the offence allegedly committed by Mr Komichi has the capacity to cause alarm and despondence as well as discrediting ZEC and the whole electoral process.
Meanwhile, the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Chrispen Makedenge told the court that they are still investigating the matter.
He revealed that one Michael Phiri is alleged to have brought the ballot paper to Mr Komichi.
Source - zbc
