Mangoma urges court to dismiss case

Former Energy minister Elton Mangoma's lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa yesterday urged the courts to dismiss a case in which he is being charged with criminal abuse of office after state witnesses failed to pitch up for trial.

The charges arose after Mangoma allegedly flouted tender procedures during the time he served as a minister in the inclusive government.

Mtetwa's submission came after the prosecutor sought a postponement of the trial to September 28 on the basis that two of his witnesses who were billed to testify, had travelled to Botswana.

Presiding magistrate Hosea Mujaya urged the State to put its house in order.