The four, Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Warship Dumba and Mehluli Moyo who were arrested in March are facing charges of impersonating a police officer, contravening the Official Secrets Act and being in possession of documents for criminal use.
Today, Mpofu gave his evidence during cross examination. When the case resumes, the court will continue with the cross examination of Mpofu and his three co-accused.
In his evidence today, Mpofu argued that there were serious inconsistencies regarding the manner in which the police obtained a search warrant to search his premises as well as the manner in which the search was executed.
He argued that when police conducted the search at his house, they were merely doing so in the hope of trying to find evidence to incriminate him.
"Chief Inspector, Edmore Run'anga in his application states that on the 16th of March, he received information to the effect that we were in possession of documents for criminal use. He went on to say that he had reasonable belief that the documents can be obtained and help in establishing a crime.
"So he hoped that the information he would obtain from the search of my premises would assist in establishing an offence that he at that time of completing his affidavit had not yet ascertained," said Mpofu.
Mpofu said that it was surprising that one Superintendent Murenje who issued the search warrant was involved in the search at his (Mpofu) residence as well.
The State has highlighted its intention to call Murenje as a witness and Mpofu argued that this would violate the accused person's right to a fair trial.
Mpofu questioned the day of issue of the search warrant as well.
"In his affidavit, Murenje said he received information of our criminal conduct on 17 March yet the date stamp on the search warrant is 16 March,"
he said.
Post published in: News

