CONSTITUTIONAL Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) national co-ordinator Gift Marunda has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
Report by Nqobile Bhebhe Senior Reporter
By yesterday, Marunda, who was reportedly arrested on Wednesday, was still in police custody at Harare Central Police Station. Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs minister Eric Matinenga yesterday confirmed Marunda’s arrest, but could not give full details pertaining to the matter.
“I am aware that he (Marunda) was picked up by police on Wednesday,” Matinenga said.
“On the finer charges, I am not well versed, but I spoke to his lawyer who advised me that the charges centred on criminal abuse of office.”
Although details of the arrest were still sketchy, informed sources at the constitution-making body said Marunda was being charged for allegedly breaching tender procedures in the procurement of material to be used during the Second All- Stakeholders’ Conference set for later this month.
“Gift Marunda, the Copac boss, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly breaching tender procedures on the procurement of Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference material,” said an insider who declined to be named. “I understand he was today (yesterday) still assisting police with investigations. From the details we have, the material was for the printing of the draft national statistical report.”
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said: “I don’t have much details on that. What you are inquiring on, however, you can try (deputy national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver) Mandipaka for details.”
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But Mandipaka also said he had not been briefed over the matter. “I would have to make calls to several stations to ascertain which section of the police is dealing with the case. Call me later,” Mandipaka said.
The Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference on the draft constitution is set to be held between October 21 and 22.
