adminZvikomborero Parafini
HARARE Mayor Jacob Mafume’s trial finally got underway yesterday after being postponed on numerous occasions.
Mafume is facing obstruction of justice allegations for allegedly bribing witnesses set to testify against him in a criminal abuse of duty trial.
He denied obstructing the course of justice because the criminal abuse of duty trial had not started and that the witness, Edgar Dzehonye, had not yet testified.
He claimed that it was only after a witness had testified that the court could assess whether he interfered with him or not.
He denied ever calling Dzehonye or setting up a meeting with him, saying he was arrested while waiting to meet a potential client, one Getrude Dumba, in Avondale.
He told the court he knew Dumba as a businesswoman involved in property development and she wanted assistance regarding a property in Mt Pleasant.
He claims he arrived at the meeting place to pick up some documents from Dumba and found her with Dzehonye, who she is related to.
He said he was surprised to see the police pouncing on him.
Mafume denied ever offering US$1 000 and said the charges were trumped-up with the intention to remove him from his position as Mayor.
The trial continues today.
Online Reporter