News / National
Mujuru appears safe from arrest and prosecution
20 Feb 2015 at 12:46hrs | Views
FORMER vice-president Joice Mujuru appears safe from arrest and prosecution - at least for now - as President Robert Mugabe and top law enforcement agents balk at indicting her on corruption cases she was allegedly involved in during her long stay in government despite a complete docket.
According to the Zimbabwe Independent, a meeting between Mugabe, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who also runs the Justice ministry, and a senior official in the Prosecutor-General's Office was held this month to deal with Mujuru's case.
The publication claims that after police completed the docket, Mugabe, Mnangagwa and law officers decided to shelve the case as they feared it would appear like they are pursuing a vindictive political agenda in the aftermath of a bitter succession battle last December in which she was ruthlessly crushed and removed with her top allies.
Officials say police have completed their investigations and a docket outlining the graft charges was handed over to Mugabe. The police set up a team of senior detectives, led by Chief Superintendent Luckson Mukazhi, just before Christmas to investigate Mujuru. During the investigations, the team searched companies and premises linked to her after securing a search warrant from the High Court.
It also invited individuals whom it wanted to be witnesses to sign affidavits, but one potential key witness declined, saying he did not want to get entangled in the issue.
Mujuru was dumped by Mugabe ahead of the Zanu-PF congress in December. Her allies were also purged. More of her allies, Mutasa, Temba Mliswa and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, were removed this week. Her ouster was sealed after she was subjected to a vicious and sustained public attack by First Lady Grace Mugabe and her supporters, who accused her - without providing evidence - of, among other things, plotting to oust and assassinate Mugabe, abuse of office, corruption, extorting shares from private companies and investors, demanding 10% bribes, and illicit dealings in diamonds and gold.
Despite the brutal attacks and threats of arrest, Mujuru sent a congratulatory message in December to Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko for their new appointments as the country's vice-presidents.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said she has not been briefed about the investigations.
According to the Zimbabwe Independent, a meeting between Mugabe, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who also runs the Justice ministry, and a senior official in the Prosecutor-General's Office was held this month to deal with Mujuru's case.
The publication claims that after police completed the docket, Mugabe, Mnangagwa and law officers decided to shelve the case as they feared it would appear like they are pursuing a vindictive political agenda in the aftermath of a bitter succession battle last December in which she was ruthlessly crushed and removed with her top allies.
Officials say police have completed their investigations and a docket outlining the graft charges was handed over to Mugabe. The police set up a team of senior detectives, led by Chief Superintendent Luckson Mukazhi, just before Christmas to investigate Mujuru. During the investigations, the team searched companies and premises linked to her after securing a search warrant from the High Court.
Mujuru was dumped by Mugabe ahead of the Zanu-PF congress in December. Her allies were also purged. More of her allies, Mutasa, Temba Mliswa and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, were removed this week. Her ouster was sealed after she was subjected to a vicious and sustained public attack by First Lady Grace Mugabe and her supporters, who accused her - without providing evidence - of, among other things, plotting to oust and assassinate Mugabe, abuse of office, corruption, extorting shares from private companies and investors, demanding 10% bribes, and illicit dealings in diamonds and gold.
Despite the brutal attacks and threats of arrest, Mujuru sent a congratulatory message in December to Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko for their new appointments as the country's vice-presidents.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said she has not been briefed about the investigations.
Source - independent
