Jonathan Moyo improperly arrested- deputy appears in court

Higher Education Minister Jonathan was improperly arrested over allegations of misusing Zimbabwe Manpower Development Funds and the country’s highest court suspended his arrest pending his application challenging the constitutionality of the arrest.

His deputy, Godfrey Gandawa, however, had no such luck and appeared in court yesterday together with ZIMDEF principal director (finance) Nicholas Mapute charged with fraud.

They were remanded in custody pending a bail ruling today.

Moyo was supposed to appear in court with the two yesterday but instead attended the graduation ceremony of more than 2 000 students at the National University of Science and Technology presided over by President Robert Mugabe.

Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko was also present.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku suspended Moyo’s arrest after Prosecutor-General Ray Goba conceded that the arrest was improperly handled.

“The papers clearly indicate that there is a real possibility that due process was not complied with in the handling of this matter. In light of this, the concession by the Prosecutor-General was based on sound legal consideration. Quite clearly, a definitive decision has to be made by this court,” Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku was quoted by The Herald as saying.

“The continued opposition to the application by ZACC (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission which is leveling charges against Moyo and his deputy) was driven by something else other than legal considerations,” Chidyausiku said.

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