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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
The State has closed its case in the matter of MDC–T chief elections agent Morgen Komichi, who is facing charges of fraud and contravening the Electoral Act.The State led by chief law officer Mr Michael Mugabe closed its case after calling seven witnesses, including the investigating officer Chief Supt Crispen Makedenge.
The State had intended to call 12 witnesses but had to reduce the number after the magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe said it was unnecessary to call many witnesses when they were all saying the same things.
The matter proceeded to the defence case after Komichi’s lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama told the court that he was ready to proceed.
Komichi took to the witness stand and narrated to the court how the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission operated to ensure that elections were held.
Earlier during cross-examination by Mr Muchadehama, Chief Supt Makedenge told the court that as part of investigations, the police searched all the bins around the hotel but could not find the alleged ballots which were said to be in a bin.
“We checked all over the hotel, we had no specific place where these alleged stray ballots were but we could not find them. Interviews were made at the hotel and no one had any idea of the said ballots,” he said.
Chief Supt Makedenge added that Komichi might have stolen the ballots from ZEC’s security since he was the one found with them.
However, Mr Muchadehama accused Chief Supt Makedenge of being used by ZEC to fix Komichi, allegations which he disputed.
The trial continues today.
Komichi was arrested for contravening the Electoral Act, which makes it a criminal offence for an unauthorised person to possess ballot papers or to tamper with them. He has been in custody since July 29.
Online Reporter