MP nabbed over tobacco smuggling

MP nabbed over tobacco smuggling

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN police on Tuesday arrested MDC Zengeza MP Goodrich Chimbaira while another opposition legislator Job Sikhala was issued with a warrant of arrest after failing to appear for a hearing.

The two opposition MPs' neighbouring constituencies of Zengeza and St Mary’s are situated in the satellite town of Chitungwiza.

Charges being faced by Chimbaira were not clear Tuesday night, but his lawyer Alec Muchadehama, said police were alleging that he had smuggled tobacco out of the country.

“I'm on my way to the police station, but the police accused him on a news bulletin of smuggling tobacco,” said Muchadehama.

On the other hand, the arrest warrant for Sikhala was issued after he failed to appear in court on allegations that the MP, together with a group of supporters, assaulted some residents of Chitungwiza.

Sikhala’s lawyer, Charles Chikowore said: “The MP was issued with a warrant of arrest. I phoned him and he said he had forgotten that he was supposed to appear in court”.

“I then informed the Honourable MP to come to court. I don't know if the warrant has been cancelled or not, but I told him that if he has any problems he should call me."

Efforts to reach Sikhala later were fruitless as he was attending a parliamentary session.

In January 2004 he was issued with a warrant of arrest after he left the court room without paying a $25 000 fine for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
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