Former VP, Mphoko has told a Bulawayo magistrate that the charges he is facing are malicious and frivolous. “I deny the charge in toto...
Former VP, Mphoko has told a Bulawayo magistrate that the
charges he is facing are malicious and frivolous.
“I deny the charge in toto. I confirm that I was indeed the
Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe at that time. During my entire
tenure as VP, I acted within the confines of the law and in accordance with
policies formulated by the Presidency and the government of the day. These
charges are actuated by malice and are frivolous,” he said.
Mphoko said he was prepared to stand trial before the
courts and defend himself.
Principal Public Prosecutor in charge of Bulawayo district,
Mr Thompson Hove, said between July 13 and 14 in 2016 while he was still Vice
President, Mphoko stormed Avondale Police Station to release Juma.
“On May 6, 2016, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission
(Zacc) received a report of allegations of fraud and criminal abuse of duty
against Zinara officials. Investigations that ensued resulted in the arrest of
Davison Norupiri and Juma. The two were charged with criminal abuse of duty and
their warned and cautioned statements were recorded on July 12, 2016,” said Mr
Hove.
He said after the arrest, Juma and Norupiri were taken to
Avondale Police Station on the following day pending their appearance in court.
On the same day at around 6PM, Mphoko, who was at the time
the Acting President, stormed the police station and criminally abused his duty
as a public officer by ordering the immediate release of Juma and Norupiri from
lawful police custody.
The Officer-in-Charge stood his ground challenging the
unlawful instruction before he later complied with Mphoko’s order under duress
and released the two men.
Mphoko drove away with them in his car.
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