Tomana to prosecute WikiLeaks suspects

By The NewsDay | Dec. 14, 2012 | 2 Min read

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Johannes Tomana yesterday vowed to press ahead with the prosecution of people who were named in the United States embassy diplomatic cables published by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.

REPORT BY FELUNA NLEYA STAFF REPORTER Tomana added investigations were still underway.

Scores of top government officials including Vice-President Joice Mujuru, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono and army generals were reportedly quoted as denigrating President Robert Mugabe in the leaked cables.

Tomana said: “You should bear in mind that offences in this country can live up to 20 years from date of commission, and for murders, it’s for life. So it’s not a question of just rushing, it’s about conducting the investigations thoroughly. We need to establish facts so as to continue with our prosecution. We shall not rush.”

WikiLeaks caused a stir in 2010 by leaking confidential US diplomatic cables where scores of government officials from both Zanu PF and the MDCs were cited.

The leaked cables released minutes of meetings held by political leaders with US government officials where they divulged sensitive information about the country and their respective parties.

Turning to another issue, Tomana vowed to continue prosecuting people arrested for allegedly insulting Mugabe saying the President was different from any ordinary citizen.

“It is an offence to insult the President,” Tomana said. “We will make sure that prosecution of Mugabe insulters will go on. The President is not like anyone. Effectively, issuing a statement insulting the President diverts the attention, as he has more important things to do. That is why there is that law to protect him because as the Head of State he actually carries the mandate to benefit or cause for the country.”