Chinamasa in trouble

Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa has been adjudged in contempt of Parliament and could be jailed or fined for allegedly lying under oath about the whereabouts of Shabanie-Mashaba Mines (SMM) bearer share certificates that were previously in the possession of a United Kingdom-based company T&N.

Presenting findings on the state of affairs at SMM yesterday, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy said Chinamasa and SMM administrator Afaras Gwaradzimba were also at fault by publishing a defamatory statement in the Press, hence demeaning the proceedings and character of the committee.

Committee chairperson Edward Chindori-Chininga said Chinamasa made a commitment under oath to present the bearer share warrant as proof of government ownership of SMM Holdings after payment of $2 million.

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