News Africa Extended

News Africa Extended

Zim prosecutor seeks warrant of arrest for Jonathan Moyo

Posted: 04 Nov 2016 12:26 PM PDT

Zimbabwe’s Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, failed to appear in court to answer to charges of corruption.

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Harare - Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo failed to appear in the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Friday, to answer to charges of corruption.

“Jonathan Moyo, Jonathan Moyo, Jonathan Moyo!” a police officer called out in Court 6.

Prosecutor Lovett Masuku registered his displeasure at the failure by Moyo, who is facing charges of defrauding the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) of more than $400 000.

Masuku proposed that the court issue a warrant of arrest for the Moyo, who is reported to have filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court challenging his arrest and appearance at the smaller court.

Masuku told the court that Moyo had breached an indemnity agreement he signed when the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) released him into the custody of his lawyers after his arrest on November 2.

“Accused number two was arrested on November 2 and there was an undertaking that he should appear in court today (Friday), within the 48 hours stipulated by the Constitution. The accused defaulted and I wish to apply for a warrant of arrest,” he said.

“Accused disregarded the promise he made knowing full well that he was under arrest, though in the custody of his legal practitioners.”

Masuku said the indemnity agreement signed by Moyo stated that failure to appear in court would lead to his arrest and detention.

Moyo’s lawyer, Terrence Hussein, refused to comment on the matter.

Moyo is being jointly charged with his Deputy, Godfrey Gandawa and the Principal Director of Finance for ZIMDEF, Nicholas Makute who were remanded in custody to Saturday for their bail ruling.

The two appeared before Magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe for their initial bail hearing on Friday. The State was opposed to bail for Gandawa, while bail for Makute was not being opposed.

On Gandawa, the State argued that he was facing serious charges and also that if admitted to bail, he would interfere with witnesses, most of whom were his subordinates.

The State had to call in ZACC Chief Investigations Officer, Lovemore Findi, to give evidence to buttress their argument to deny him bail.

Masuku however, said should the court consider granting him bail, it should be with stringent conditions, including a surety of property worth not less than $300 000 and should report three times a week at Highlands Police station and surrendering his travel documents among other stringent conditions.

However, Bernard Chidziva, representing Gandawa, said his client had known of his investigation by ZACC in July 2016 but had not interfered with any of his subordinates or threatened them in any manner.

He said Gandawa was a proper candidate for bail as he had shown cooperation during investigations, handing himself over to the anti-graft commission and had shown his willingness to abide by the law.

The Prosecutor, although he did not oppose bail for Makute, advocated for stringent bail conditions, which included a $5 000 bail and $10 000 surety.

He also proposed that he surrender his passport and report at the ZRP Southerton every Friday between 6am and 6pm, reside at his given address and not interfere with state witnesses.

Chikwekwe postponed the matter to Saturday for bail ruling.

African News Agency

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Zuma, Mugabe vow to strengthen ties

Posted: 04 Nov 2016 01:26 AM PDT

Jacob Zuma returns to SA after bilateral talks with Robert Mugabe - and pledges to cement “historic relations” with Zimbabwe.

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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has returned to Pretoria from Harare where he co-chaired the Inaugural Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC).

On Thursday, Zuma co-chaired the BNC with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe.

“In their opening remarks, the heads of state acknowledged commitments by the two governments to further cement the historic relations that exist between them and to strengthen and deepen bilateral co-operation by elevating the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JPCC) to the BNC,” said the Presidency in a statement.

“The Presidents noted that 38 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements (MoUs) have been signed between Zimbabwe and South Africa, which cover a broad range of areas, which include among others, trade and investment, immigration and consular matters, defence, agriculture, the environment, energy, health, as well as arts and culture.”

The Presidency said Zuma and Mugabe directed the relevant ministries and departments to conclude negotiations on all outstanding agreements and memoranda.

“As part of strengthening co-operation in infrastructure development and transport, a Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe was signed by Ms Dipuo Peters, Minister of Transport, and her counterpart, Dr Joram McDonald Gumbo, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development of Zimbabwe.”

Other outcomes of the BNC included the decision to establish a Joint Trade and Investment Committee by the end of the first quarter of 2017 and the urgent need for the establishment of a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Beitbridge-Musina.

The BNC decided to finalise the modalities for its establishment by the time of the next Bi-National Commission in 2017.

Zuma and Mugabe emphasised the importance of enhanced business-to-business interaction between Zimbabwe and South Africa and the promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and joint ventures.

“Our business communities stand ready to play their part, if as governments, we create a conducive environment for ease of doing business, including but not limited to, the establishment of a one stop border post for facilitation of free movement of people, goods and services, policy certainty, among others,” said Zuma.

The BNC also discussed regional, continental and global matters of mutual concern.

Zuma and Mugabe took note of the effect of the El Nino-induced drought in their respective countries and region. They stressed the importance of adopting appropriate mitigation measures.

“Our two countries should continue to strive to become leading examples on the continent, in pursuit of a peaceful, politically stable and prosperous Africa,” said Zuma.

On the global front, South Africa and Zimbabwe reiterated their common view on the need to reform multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council.

Zuma was accompanied by six ministers - Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Rob Davies, Malusi Gigaba, Dipuo Peters and Mildred Oliphant.

AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY

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