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Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent
The trial of gospel musician Ivy Kombo and her husband Admire Andy Kasi who are facing allegations of fraudulently acquiring conversion certificates to practice law in Zimbabwe continued with the court admitting into record some contested affidavits.
The pair is being jointly charged with the suspended Council for Legal Education (CLE) executive secretary, Hardwork Huggins Duri.
Investigating officer, Mr Owen Mutembwa had linked Kombo and Kasi to the crime on the basis of affidavits the couple allegedly deposed at the High Court citing that they wrote and passed eight modules.
The defence lawyers, Mr Admire Rubaya, Mr Everson Chatambudza and Mr Tamutsa Muzana had strongly opposed the admission of the said documents on the basis that the author, who is the Examinations Coordinator and Research Assistant, Vimbainashe Rutendo Sigauke, had disowned them when she testified in court.
However, presiding magistrate, Mrs Feresi Chakanyuka, ruled that the documents could be tendered as exhibits.
“The court will accept the said affidavits as exhibits as at this stage. The issue of relevance and authenticity will be evaluated by the court at the end of the trial,” said Mr Chakanyuka.
Mr Mutembwa told the court that from his investigations, there was no letter from Justice Sylvia Chirawu-Mugomba to confirm that Kombo and Kasi were exempted.
He said Duri, the custodian of the certificates, would instruct Fidelity Printers through one Edith Mandiyanike to print certificates of completion for the couple.
During cross-examination, Kombo’s lawyer Mr Rubaya asked Mr Mutembwa if he had taken a statement from Justice Chirawu-Mugomba.
In response, he said he only took her statement earlier this month way after the trial had commenced.
Mr Mutembwa said Kombo filed an application for designation with CLE.He, however, said he was not sure if Kombo’s application was approved or not since there are no board minutes confirming the development.
When asked about how Kombo misrepresented facts to CLE, Mr Mutembwa said she connived with Duri to facilitate the certificates of completion for a fee.
Mr Rubaya questioned Mr Mutembwa on whether he verified the email that was reportedly used to send the list of students whose certificates were to be printed by Fidelity Printers.
Mr Mutembwa said he did not verify the email but was sure it was legit.
He also did not have any call history as the two accused persons were using WhatsApp calls.
Online Reporter