News / National
Obert Mpofu fails to testify in the $2 billion fraud case
23 Jul 2014 at 19:48hrs | Views
Former Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, who had been summoned to testify in the $2 billion Lovemore Kurotwi and Dominic Mubaiwa diamond mining fraud trial failed to testify as the state's house was not in order.
Dr Mpofu was expected to take the stand as the final state witness in the fraud trial which has taken four years at the courts.
Though he availed himself at the court accompanied by Advocate Farai Mutamangira, he could not take the stand after defence lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa objected on the basis that Chief Law Officer, Chris Mutangadura had not filed the record relating to the inspection in loco held in South Africa before the court.
Mtetwa said it was unprocedural to proceed before the state furnished the record of the South African inspection in loco, as the defence would not be able to properly cross examine Dr Mpofu in respect of the proceedings which occurred beyond the Limpopo which are crucial to the defence case.
Justice Chinembiri Bhunu concurred with the defence's submissions and further stated that the proceedings conducted in South Africa are incomplete until the witnesses to the proceedings testify under oath.
The Chief Law Officer, Mutangadura admitted that the state had faltered in failing to submit the record.
Parties to the criminal trial proceedings then went to Justice Bhunu's chambers where they mutually consented to a postponement to Monday next week when witnesses to the inspection in loco conducted in South Africa will testify before Minister Mpofu testifies as the last witness.
Dr Mpofu was expected to take the stand as the final state witness in the fraud trial which has taken four years at the courts.
Though he availed himself at the court accompanied by Advocate Farai Mutamangira, he could not take the stand after defence lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa objected on the basis that Chief Law Officer, Chris Mutangadura had not filed the record relating to the inspection in loco held in South Africa before the court.
Mtetwa said it was unprocedural to proceed before the state furnished the record of the South African inspection in loco, as the defence would not be able to properly cross examine Dr Mpofu in respect of the proceedings which occurred beyond the Limpopo which are crucial to the defence case.
Justice Chinembiri Bhunu concurred with the defence's submissions and further stated that the proceedings conducted in South Africa are incomplete until the witnesses to the proceedings testify under oath.
The Chief Law Officer, Mutangadura admitted that the state had faltered in failing to submit the record.
Parties to the criminal trial proceedings then went to Justice Bhunu's chambers where they mutually consented to a postponement to Monday next week when witnesses to the inspection in loco conducted in South Africa will testify before Minister Mpofu testifies as the last witness.
Source - zbc
