Chinamasa trial postponed after no-show

Chinamasa trial postponed after no-show

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By Lebo Nkatazo

A ZIMBABWEAN court on Monday postponed the 'obstruction of justice' trial of Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa to July 17 after he failed to turn up.

The trial -- seen as a fight-back by the powerful Zanu PF camp headed by Solomon Mujuru against those who opposed the ascendary of his wife, Joice, to the Vice Presidency -- emanates from the minister's alleged attempt to block the prosecution of Security Minister, Didymus Mutasa's supporters on violence charges.

Five other accused persons in the case including the head of the Central Intelligence Organisation in Manicaland, Innocent Chibaya, turned up at the Rusape Magistrates Court and were granted free bail.

Appearing for the state, Manicaland area prosecutor Levson Chikafu said he had established that the state had failed to serve summons on Chinamasa but did not give reasons. He expressed confidence that the Minister would be present on the new trial date.

There had been fears that Chinamasa would not avail himself for trial after failing to come back to Zimbabwe from the United Nations Human Rights session in Geneva which ended on June 22.

Over the weekend, the state media reported that he was in Gambia for an African Union summit.

The court, which was packed with Zanu PF supporters, CIO officers and journalists from the state media, ordered James Kaunye, the state's key witness to attend without fail.

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

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 the Minister.

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Mugabe's most loyal and trusted lieutenants, had held talks with the President to use his influence to get the charges withdrawn to avoid "embarrassment that may be caused to the party".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 Mujuru who is locked in a bitter struggle with Emmerson 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.

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