THE bail application for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s staffers took a new twist yesterday when High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa recused himself from the matter on the grounds that he once worked with the accused persons.
Report by Charles Laiton
Thabani Mpofu and Felix Matsinde are former public prosecutors, while their co-accused Mehluli Tshuma is still with the Attorney-General’s (AG) Office.
Justice Musakwa once worked as a director for prosecution and during that period, he worked with the accused persons who were his subordinates.
The three are charged alongside former councillor Warship Dumba for allegedly being found with dockets linked to investigations of top government officials.
Justice Musakwa, who was set to hear the case in the morning, summoned both the State and the defence counsels to his chambers where he made it clear to the law officers that he could not preside over his former subordinates’ matter.
The three were allegedly found in possession of dockets linked to the investigation of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana, former deputy minister Bright Matonga, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo, deputy AG Florence Ziyambi, prosecutor Michael Mugabe, area prosecutor Jonathan Murombedzi, Jane Mutasa, Beauty Basile and Charles Muchemwa Nherera.
They have been charged with impersonating police officers and possession of articles of criminal use.
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After the recusal, the matter was transferred to Justice Chinembiri Bhunu’s court where submissions on the bail application were made by defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama assisted by Chris Mhike and Phillipa Dube.
Justice Bhunu is expected to deliver his ruling on the application today.
