Mugabe clears way for Chinamasa prosecution

Mugabe clears way for Chinamasa prosecution

• Bredenkamp flees Zimbabwe probe

• Trust in Mugabe rapidly declines - survey

• Mugabe says Zanu PF will choose successor

• Mugabe succession off agenda at congress

• Ethnic camps plays complex role in Mugabe succession

• Sikhumbuzo Ndiweni: Who will succeed Mugabe

• Mugabe: 'I want to rest'

• Mugabe: 'I'll retire when my term ends'

• Mugabe seen staying on at crucial party congress

• Mugabe may stand for another term

• Meeting Mr Mugabe

• 'I am not seeking re-election' - Mugabe

• Mugabe out by December - Shamuyarira

• Mugabe out in 5 years

• Mugabe birthday sparks retirement talk

By Lebo Nkatazo

A TOP Zanu PF official claimed on Friday that Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa had been "hung out to dry" by President Robert Mugabe after the way was cleared for his prosecution on charges of attempting to defeat the course of justice.

The official, speaking to New Zimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity, claimed Mugabe had refused to use his influence to smother the charges against Chinamasa in what is being seen as part of the succession depredations within the ruling Zanu PF.

Chinamasa is loyal to a Zanu PF faction led by Rural Amenities Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chinamasa was handed summons to appear in court on July 3 this year, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charges relate to accusations that Chinamasa tried to bribe one Joseph Kaunye to drop a case of political violence involving supporters of Security Minister Didymus Mutasa.

Kaunye claims that he was brutally assaulted by Mutasa's supporters to frighten him out of Zanu PF’s primary elections in which he wanted to challenge him.

Zanu PF sources said Mutasa, one of Mugabe's most loyal and trusted lieutenants, had held talks with the President to use his influence to get the charges withdrawn to avoid "embarrassment that may be caused to the party".

However, Mugabe is said to have turned down Mutasa's pleas following pressure from Vice President Joice Mujuru who is locked in a bitter struggle with Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe.

The case is said to have turned into a Zanu PF succession battle, with the Mujuru camp hoping that it would thoroughly discredit Chinamasa and Mutasa so as to prevent them or reduce their influence in the succession dog fight.

A top Zanu PF official said: “The President ignored Mutasa's pleas. Chinamasa has now been hung out to dry, which is rather extra-ordinary because Zanu PF has a history of shielding ministers from prosecution."

Chinamasa's supporters also fear that Attorney General Sobusa Gula- Ndebele is hitting back at him following their well-documented clashes in cabinet.

Statements recorded by the police said Chinamasa approached Kaunye and said if he dropped the charges, Mutasa would build a weir on his farm as well as finance a dairy project.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com