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Hon. Mangoma freed on bail
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
March 15, 2011

High Court Judge Justice Samuel Kudya on Tuesday granted bail to Energy and Power Development Minister and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Deputy-Treasurer-General Hon. Elton Mangoma, who was arrested and detained last week for alleged criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

Justice Kudya ruled that the State's case against Hon. Mangoma was "weak" and would not induce him to abscond trial as had been feared by the State.

Justice Kudya said that it would seem to him that in the absence of evidence that Hon. Mangoma personally benefited from the fuel deal, his actions were prompted by a national crisis.

The Judge said as the Minister responsible for energy in the country, all Zimbabweans looked up to him to provide a quick solution to the fuel crisis which rocked the country in December and January.

"His well meaning response to a national emergency may prove highly mitigatory. Courts do accept that at times paths to hell are often paved by good intentions. Those good intentions may prove highly mitigatory," reads part of Justice Kudya's ruling.

As part of the bail conditions, Justice Kudya ordered Hon. Mangoma to deposit $5 000 with the clerk of court and to report once a week on Wednesdays at Marlborough Police Station.

Hon. Mangoma was also ordered to surrender his passport, continue residing at his given residential address and not to interfere with State witnesses.

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