adminoffence. Mpofu is jointly charged with Felix Matsinde, Mehluli Tshuma, all former public prosecutors, and Warship Dumba, a former Harare city councillor.
The four yesterday appeared before Mr Tendai Mahwe for continuation of trial.
They are facing charges of impersonating the police, possessing articles for criminal use and breaching the Official Secrets Act. The quartet is making an application seeking referral of the matter to the Supreme Court.
Through their lawyers Mr Alec Muchadehama and Mr Chris Mhike, they raised Constitutional issues, which they said could only be dealt with at the Supreme Court. To justify the application, Mr Muchadehama ordered Mpofu to take the witness’ stand.
Mpofu told the court that the compilation of the alleged criminal dockets against officials from the Attorney-General’s office should have been applauded as it represented the fight against corruption in the country.
“I am of the view that this conduct should not meet with criminal incarceration and prosecution, but should be applauded and encouraged as I believe it represents the fight against corruption,” he said.
He said the investigations were in line with Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa’s sentiments at various forums that the country’s criminal justice system was infested with corruption.
Mpofu said his rights to a fair trial should be protected, adding that the AG should not have been allowed to conduct the prosecution as he would not get a fair trial.
He added: “The AG cannot be a referee and a penalty taker at the same time, with the goal keeper’s hands tied.
“What is so special about this US$20 fine case that warrants the resources and attention allocated to it?”
Mr Michael Reza and Mr Herald Matura prosecuted.
Allegations against the four arose on March 17 when detectives received information that they were in possession of dockets they were privately compiling to discredit the judicial system.
It is alleged, in the dockets, that they claimed that the police and the AG had failed or refused to investigate cases of corruption involving prominent people in Government.
It is alleged the four had documents of police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri’s background and another titled: “Case for a full investigation into the Ministry of Lands-System of issuing offer letters 1 September, 2009”.
A team of detectives went to Mpofu’s home and found some of the documents, including a laptop and a pistol.
Online Reporter