HARARE Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma Mangoma, who is being tried on another charge of criminal abuse of office through violating the countrys tender procedures, was arrested March 25 on fresh allegations of instructing the cancellation of a tender involving the purchase and supply of prepayment revenue management system, meters and associated equipment, just as the winner was about to be announced.
He will stand trial on the fresh charges on July 18 this year.
He was granted US$5000 bail for the fresh charges by High Court judge Joseph Musakwa but the State immediately blocked his release by invoking the notorious Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which empowers it to freeze the operation of a courts ruling for seven days.
But Justice Musakwa dismissed the application for lack of merit. Selby Hwacha, Mangoma;s lawyer confirmed the development but said he was yet to see the reasons why the High Court dismissed the States application. The MDC says the charges against its national deputy treasurer general are trumped up and are part of a renewed crackdown on President Robert Mugabes opponents ahead of national elections which the octogenarian leader insists they should be held this year.
Post published in: News