News / National
Mujuru's ally seeks de-classification of State secrets
31 Oct 2015 at 10:45hrs | Views
FORMER Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Martin Dinha yesterday requested the de-classification of certain State secrets which he wants to use in sorting out his defence in his trial on extortion charges at the High Court.
He appeared before Justice Happias Zhou where he made an application to postpone the trial in which he is accused of extorting a white commercial farmer of $60 000 as protection fee against eviction.
Adv Dinha said the trial could not continue until he is allowed to use the State secrets, which are protected by the Official Secrets Act, as part of his defence.
He made the application through his lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, instructed by Mr Tapson Dzvetero of Antonio and Dzvetero Legal Practitioners.
Justice Zhou heard submissions from both parties' counsel and reserved ruling to Tuesday next week.
The State, led by Mr Clemence Chimbari, opposed the application, saying the defence contention was deliberate tactic to delay the commencement of the trial.
He said they had ample time to request for the documents from the time Dinha was indicted for trial in August. Mr Chimbari urged the court to dismiss the application and order the trial to proceed.
He appeared before Justice Happias Zhou where he made an application to postpone the trial in which he is accused of extorting a white commercial farmer of $60 000 as protection fee against eviction.
Adv Dinha said the trial could not continue until he is allowed to use the State secrets, which are protected by the Official Secrets Act, as part of his defence.
Justice Zhou heard submissions from both parties' counsel and reserved ruling to Tuesday next week.
The State, led by Mr Clemence Chimbari, opposed the application, saying the defence contention was deliberate tactic to delay the commencement of the trial.
He said they had ample time to request for the documents from the time Dinha was indicted for trial in August. Mr Chimbari urged the court to dismiss the application and order the trial to proceed.
Source - the herald
