THE on-going tribunal involving suspended Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana, who is facing several charges involving criminal abuse of office, is expected to wind up this month with over 10 witnesses having testified so far.
BY CHARLES LAITON
Tomana’s lawyer Tazorora Musarurwa told NewsDay last Friday that the tribunal was set to be completed by December 20 this year, adding this would be determined by the remaining witnesses.
“The tribunal is on-going and so far more than 10 witnesses have testified. We are far from over, I cannot say exactly when we will be through but that will depend on the number of the remaining witnesses,” he said.
“Our aim is to make sure we will be through by December 20, all things being equal,” he added declining to give more details pertaining to the hearing.
Most of the witnesses, that have testified so far, are still serving members of the Prosecutor General’s (PG) office and former prosecutors, who allegedly acted under Tomana’s instructions, during his tenure in office, to decline prosecution or release some offenders.
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The tribunal was sworn-in by President Robert Mugabe in July this year, in terms of Section 187(3) of the Constitution, and was given a mandate to complete the hearing within a three-month period. Mugabe entrusted retired High Court judge, Justice Moses Chinhengo, in terms of section 187(4) of the Constitution, University of Zimbabwe Dean of Law Emmanuel Magade and a Harare lawyer Melina Matshiya to preside over the hearing.
Meanwhile, Tomana is also set to be tried at the High Court on February 13 next year after being indicted for trial last month.
Allegations against Tomana are that he ordered withdrawal of charges against the then Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) chief executive, Bright Matonga.
In other matters, Tomana is alleged to have facilitated the release of former Zupco board chairman, Charles Nherera, from prison and ordered the withdrawal of charges after plea against former Bindura Hospital acting medical superintendent, Beauty Basile.
Again, sometime in October 2009, gold dealer, Patrick Mavros was charged for gold possession without a licence, but Tomana allegedly declined prosecution despite Mavros having admitted to the charge.