THE full Constitutional Court (ConCourt) bench is today expected to entertain Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke’s application challenging the constitutionality of the section of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act that allows private prosecution of criminal cases.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
The MP’s urgent application was granted by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku two weeks ago as the parliamentarian sought to avoid his day in court on allegations of rape.
Three weeks ago, Justice Chidyausiku ordered Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana to give the rape victim’s guardian, Francis Maramwidze, a certificate to privately prosecute Kereke.
Kereke’s application seems aimed at thwarting Maramwidze’s victory after four years of seeking justice for the minor who is alleged to have been raped at gunpoint by the legislator.
A week ago, Maramwidze’s lawyer, Charles Warara, said he was about to set the wheels of justice in motion after receiving the certificate to privately prosecute Kereke.
Warara confirmed: “We have finally received the certificate for private prosecution from the Prosecutor-General’s Office. We will be approaching the Harare Regional Magistrates’ Court soon to get a set-down date that the trial may resume.”
