Jane Mutasa faces private prosecution

The Constitutional Court has dismissed with costs an appeal by the Prosecutor General challenging a Supreme Court judgement ordering him to issue Telecel Zimbabwe a certificate of private prosecution against Jane Mutasa.

The Prosecutor General had declined to issue a certificate of private prosecution, arguing that there was no substantial evidence incriminating the former board chairperson in the US$1,7 million fraud charge against her.

The Prosecutor General went on to challenge a Supreme Court ruling which ordered him to issue the certificate of private prosecution within five days on the basis that the superior court should not be allowed to interfere with the Prosecutor General's independence provided for in the constitution.

The Constitutional Court dismissed the appeal by the Prosecutor General with costs, upholding the earlier ruling of the Supreme Court effectively meaning Mutasa will be prosecuted privately.

The latest development follows Mutasa's unsuccessful High Court bid challenging her ouster from the mobile phone operator's board.