The four officers from the Prime Minister’s office, Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Warship Dumba and Mehluli Tshuma were arrested on Sunday and are being charged with breaching Section 4 (3) of the Official Secrets Act that criminalises publishing or communicating of information deemed prejudicial to the state.
It is the state’s case that the four were found in possession of illegal documents some of which detailed the background of the Commissioner General of police, Augustine Chihuri while others talked about Attorney General, Johhannes Tomana.
Mtetwa was arrested the same day and is facing charges of obstructing the course of justice. Mtetwa is being accused of trying to block police from conducting searches at the house of Mpofu saying that the search warrant was illegal.
She was arrested after she went to see the four MDC-T officials following their arrest. In her ruling, Harare Magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa said that Mtetwa’s case was still under investigation and there was a likelihood of her to cause commotion and interfere with state witnesses.
Yesterday, Gofa had refused to release Mtetwa on the grounds that the High Court Order calling for her release was directed to the police.
The case was postponed to today after state prosecutor, Michael Mugabe had asked for a postponement of the case to respond to submissions by Mtetwa’s lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu.
In denying bail to the other four, Gofa said the four were a flight risk as they were facing serious offences.
The five will be back in court on 3 April. However, Mpofu will appear in court on 27 March to answer to charges of illegal possession of a firearm.
Post published in: News