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with Dr Kereke yesterday writing to the legislature seeking protection.
Dr Kereke is due to testify at the High Court following separate summons filed by Dr Gono on 17 August demanding a total of $25 million for alleged defamation.
In the letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Mr Lovemore Moyo, Dr Kereke said he should be granted “special immunity” when he testifies because he would reveal sensitive information about Dr Gono.
He said Parliament should protect him to ensure that the laws it passed were effective, especially in dealing with corruption.
“Honourable Speaker Sir, I wish to humbly submit before Parliament that laws in the country, the Official Secrets Act to be specific, not be used to subvert and suppress the noble fight against corruption in public institutions,” said Dr Kereke.
“I, therefore, hereby seek parliamentary immunity and protection for me to source and produce before the High Court of Zimbabwe explicit evidence.”
Dr Kereke said if the august House could not offer the immunity, then it should summon him to give the information which would be presented to the court.
He said he was seeking the protection after allegedly being harassed over his intended response to the lawsuit.
Dr Kereke alleged that those intimidating him wanted to arrest him for contravening the Official Secrets Act if he produced documents implicating his former boss.
“Honourable Speaker, Sir, this case is a landmark case that merits Honourable Members of
Parliament to carefully ponder and reflect on how public officials can seek to use existing statutes to muzzle and cover up acts of unmitigated fraud,” he said.
Dr Kereke said the granting of the “special immunity” would be “exemplary in demonstrating Parliament’s commitment to the people for public institutions to be accountable”.
“In the alternative, Parliament can summon me to testify before it so that the proofs discovered therein can then be tendered before the High Court of Zimbabwe,” he said.
An official at Parliament confirmed that Mr Moyo received Dr Kereke’s letter, but was yet to go through it.
Dr Gono’s lawyer Mr Tawanda Chitapi said he could not comment on a letter written to Parliament.
“I have not received any letter from him, but one does not really want to comment because the letter, as you say, was addressed to Parliament,” he said.
Dr Gono is demanding $15 000 in the first summons from Dr Kereke over remarks he made at a press conference on 10 May.
Dr Kereke alleged at the press conference that his former boss abused office for personal gain and labelled him “a thief” who stole public funds.
He alleged that Dr Gono withdrew $100 000 from his firm, Rockfoundation Medical Centre’s account without his knowledge and consent.
The other claim of $10 000 Dr Gono made arose from a letter written by Dr Kereke in February alleging that Dr Gono stole millions of dollars and gold from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
He alleged that his removal from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as an advisor was calculated to conceal Dr Gono’s criminal activities at the bank.
Dr Kereke has since filed a notice of appearance to defend himself against the lawsuits.
Online Reporter