BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA
THE trial of former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira failed to commence yesterday at the Harare Magistrates’ Court after she said she was suffering from depression following her release from custody.
Mupfumira and her co-accused, former Public Service permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka, are facing allegations of criminal abuse of office and money-laundering.
Mupfumira’s lawyer Charles Chinyama submitted to the court that after her release from custody on bail, she started experiencing depression, which made her visit a psychiatrist, whose recommendations were that she was unfit to stand trial or court proceedings for between six weeks to three months.
“Your worship, I apply that this matter be postponed to April to allow the accused person to recover and to be in a position to stand trial,” he said.
Chinyama also told the court that Mupfumira had undergone a surgical operation so she needed time to recuperate.
He further submitted that they had been served with State papers on Friday last week and Mupfumira was supposed to be given adequate time to prepare her defence.
Masoka’s lawyer Ronald Mushoriwa told the court that he was also served with State papers on Friday and constitutional rights to a fair trial would not allow it to commence.
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Mushoriwa submitted to the court that the warned statement did not relate to certain material that appeared in the charge and that they could not jump to trial without giving the accused time prepare his defence.
Prosecutor Clemence Chimbare requested confirmation of the medical reports that were submitted in court and that the matter was postponed to December 13 so the doctor and the psychiatrist, who prepared the medical reports, could testify if Mupfumira is unable to stand trial.
Meanwhile, the trial of former National Social Security Authority general manager Barnabus Matongera, who is also facing charges of criminal abuse of office, has been postponed to January 31, 2020 pending finalisation of investigations.
