Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
MEDICAL and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe Acting Registrar Colin Benyure, who was facing perjury charges, was on Friday sentenced to six months imprisonment.
He however, escaped serving the full term, which was wholly suspended on condition that he doesn’t commit similar offences in the next five years.
Benyure was convicted after a full trial by Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei.
The State represented by Tendai Tapi, proved that on November 6, Benyure was called a defence witness in a matter in which Lenon Gwaunza was an accused person.Gwaunza was convicted of harassing Dr Andrew Mataruse.
It is the State’s case that Benyure unlawfully and intentionally declared under oath that he was authorised to represent the council in Court and to present evidence in defence of Gwaunza.
He proceeded to state under oath that he was the spokesperson of the Council and that the Council had revisited its decision regarding the registration of Mataruse’s Neurology qualifications.
Benyure unlawfully and intentionally made these false oral statements under oath during the course of judicial proceedings under CRB HREP 10128/23 knowing fully well that the statements were false.
The statements were made in connection with a criminal case with the requisite criminal intention to prejudice the trial of Gwaunza given that these statements made under oath were false.
Benyure failed to produce any resolution or minutes of Council authorising him to appear before the Harare Magistrates Court on behalf of the Council.
Failure to produce any of the required documentation resulted in him committing an offence of perjury and defeating or obstructing the course of justice through his criminally offending conduct.
