News / National
Tomana granted US$1000 bail
02 Feb 2016 at 19:38hrs | Views
Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana, who was arrested yesterday, appeared before a Harare magistrate today facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe granted him a US$1000 bail.
The state alleges that Tomana authorised the release of two accused persons; Solomon Makumbe and Silas Pfupa, who were facing charges of attempting to bomb Gushungo Dairy Farm belonging to the first family in Mazowe.
The state further alleges that Tomana made a unilateral decision to release the two accused thereby abusing his office as a public officer or alternatively obstructing the course of justice.
Tomana, who is represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu applied for bail, arguing that he acted in his capacity as the Prosecutor General and his constitutional powers to turn the two accused into state witnesses.
Advocate Mpofu also argued that the court must free Tomana on bail as he holds a high office and there are no chances of him skipping bail.
The state earlier called the investigating officer, Assistant Commissioner Thulani Ncube, who indicated that Tomana must be remanded in custody as they have not completed investigations.
He indicated that he has only interviewed Michael Mugabe and is yet to interview 5 other witnesses.
However, the defence says there is no reasonable basis to deny him bail.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe granted him a US$1000 bail.
The state alleges that Tomana authorised the release of two accused persons; Solomon Makumbe and Silas Pfupa, who were facing charges of attempting to bomb Gushungo Dairy Farm belonging to the first family in Mazowe.
The state further alleges that Tomana made a unilateral decision to release the two accused thereby abusing his office as a public officer or alternatively obstructing the course of justice.
Tomana, who is represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu applied for bail, arguing that he acted in his capacity as the Prosecutor General and his constitutional powers to turn the two accused into state witnesses.
Advocate Mpofu also argued that the court must free Tomana on bail as he holds a high office and there are no chances of him skipping bail.
The state earlier called the investigating officer, Assistant Commissioner Thulani Ncube, who indicated that Tomana must be remanded in custody as they have not completed investigations.
He indicated that he has only interviewed Michael Mugabe and is yet to interview 5 other witnesses.
However, the defence says there is no reasonable basis to deny him bail.
Source - zbc
