Masimirembwa claims victimisation

political grounds.
Responding to Core Mining director Lovemore Kurotwi’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa at the ongoing trial at the High Court, Mr Masimirembwa said he was being victimised for supporting Zanu-PF and his contribution to the National Incomes and Pricing Commission.
“I have not been reinstated for political reasons, but the matter is still being pursued. The Law Society (of Zimbabwe) is opposing my reinstatement citing political reasons and there are affidavits to that effect.
“They have attacked me for my involvement in price controls, support for Zanu-PF and other issues linked to politics,” said Mr Masimirembwa.
Kurotwi and former ZMDC chief executive Dominic Mubaiwa are being accused of duping the Government into signing joint venture agreement with Core Mining, which did not have the agreed US$2 billion funding for the project. It is alleged that Kurotwi misrepresented that Core Mining was linked and was being funded by an internationally acclaimed mining firm BSGR, prompting the Government to approve the deal.
Yesterday, the trial boiled down to character assassination with Ms Mtetwa declaring that Mr Masimirembwa was not fit to lead ZMDC in view of his previous record of abusing trust funds.
While cross-examining Mr Masimirembwa, the first State witness, Ms Mtetwa said Mr Masimirembwa’s previous transgressions made him unfit for the post that required a person of impeccable integrity.
Personal attacks on Mr Masimirembwa prompted Justice Chinembiri Bhunu to grant the State leeway to directly attack Mr Kurotwi’s character in the same manner without the court’s protection.
“At law everyone is protected by the court from personal character attacks but when one party throws the shield away, then the parties will be open for attack.
“The defence in this case has thrown away the shield and the State is now at liberty to attack the first accused person’s (Kurotwi) character in the same way,” ruled Justice Bhunu.
Mrs Mtetwa said her client, being an accused person, has never enjoyed any protection.
“After all when someone is in the dock, he does not really enjoy any protection,” she said.
Chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura had earlier objected to the attacks on Mr Masimirembwa’s character saying his personal life had nothing to do with the evidence he was giving before the court.
“Mr Masimirembwa simply produced some documents he retrieved from second accused person during his investigations and the defence counsel should have simply cross-examined him on that. It is wrong for the defence to cross-examine a witness with an intention to humiliate him,” said Mr Mutangadura.
Ms Mtetwa questioned Mr Masimirembwa on why he was de-registered by the LSZ before declaring him unfit for the ZMDC position.
“Out of 14 million people in Zimbabwe with lawyers whose images have not been tainted, the minister has correctly determined that you are the best person to chair the ZMDC board?
“Do you believe you are of impeccable integrity after all that has happened?
“The witness was caught with his finger in a cookie jar. I put it to you that the whole of Zimbabwe was actually stunned to learn that you were appointed to chair the board of such a strategic institution,” said Ms Mtetwa.
Mr Masimirembwa defended himself saying he had abused trust funds in 1994, but had since reformed.
“I have long been rehabilitated and I paid back all the money involved. I have reformed and I have corrected myself,” he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said he had come to court prepared for Ms Mtetwa’s attacks.
“Let her attack. I am prepared to answer every question because I came here anticipating such questions from her,” Mr Masimirembwa said.