adminpostponed to June 19.
Harare magistrate Mr Rodgers Kachambwa deferred the matter after prosecutor Ms Purity Chikangaise had requested for ample time to study papers in the matter.
“A trial in essence should be conducted in a fair manner to both parties. This is an open court where both sides are entitled to be furnished with documents that will be used to buttress each side’s case,” said Mr Kachambwa.
“As for the previous prosecutor, his current ministry will be requested to avail him to attend his partly heard matter together with the prosecutor who has been assigned.”
Earlier on, Ms Chikangaise had said she took over the matter from Mr Allan Goche who was now employed in a different ministry.
She also said she wanted to peruse documents the defence counsel would produce as evidence before their presentation in court to verify their authenticity. Jones’ lawyer Mr Shelton Mahuni applied for Mr Goche to be brought back to court because he was familiar with the case. He had opposed further postponement of the matter saying it was prejudicial to his client’s constitutional rights.
It is alleged that between February 2002 and February 2005, Jones illegally mined gold claims of a company called KCGM after he assumed ownership.
He prepared a non-tribute agreement between a company called Homestake Mining and Technical Services and Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines (Private) Limited which he used to sign agreements as the Guarantor and owner of KCGM. He allegedly wrote a letter to KCGM workers advising them that he was the new managing director of Homestake Mining and Technical Services.
Online Reporter