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Mangoma's lawyer asks State to drop charges as State seeks to amend sheet
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
May 16, 2011

Prominent human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, who is representing Energy and Power Development Minister, Hon. Elton Mangoma, who is accused of flouting tender procedures in the procurement of fuel, on Monday 16 May 2011 petitioned the State to withdraw charges against the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Deputy-Treasurer after the State attempted to amend the charges at the resumption of Hon. Mangoma's trial.

Chris Mutangadura, the chief law officer in the Attorney General (AG)'s Office filed an application before High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu, who is presiding over the trial, seeking leave to introduce a list of oil suppliers from which he would pose some questions to Energy and Power Development permanent secretary, Justin Mupamhanga, whom he had already finished re-examination in court.

Mutangadura had not led evidence from Mupamhanga on the list which he claimed is attached to one of the State witnesses' statements and intended to do so on Monday.

But Mtetwa asked Mutangadura to withdraw charges against Hon. Mangoma after plea as he could not seek to change a crucial aspect of the charge sheet.

Mtetwa accused Mutangadura of disguising his application as meant to simply table a new list of gazetted oil importers but aimed at amending the charge sheet. Mtetwa said Mutangadura's actions had been brought about after the State case was left limping during the cross examination process, where Mupamhanga appeared to be absolving Hon. Mangoma of any wrong doing.

The feisty human rights lawyer charged that it would be extremely prejudicial to her client if the State's application is granted.

Justice Bhunu postponed the trial to Wednesday 18 May 2011 when he will deliver his ruling on the State's application. Hon. Mangoma is on trial for allegedly abusing his office by giving superior orders and prevailing upon his subordinates to purchase fuel without going to tender, a charge which he denies. His trial which commenced in March was adjourned in April at the close of the first term of the High Court. The trial continues on Wednesday 18 May 2011.

Hon. Mangoma will also stand trial in July for allegedly unlawfully and intentionally abusing his public office for the purpose of showing disfavor to some local and South African companies, which had participated in a tender for the supply and delivery of prepayment revenue management system meters and associated equipment.

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