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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
The investigating officer in the case in which Sunday Mail editor Mabasa Sasa and two reporters are accused of communicating or publishing false statements, demanded to know where the journalists got their information on an alleged top cop fingered in cyanide poaching.
However, Deputy Officer Commanding Crime (Minerals and Border Control Unit) Chief Superintendent Oscar Mugomeri contradicted himself in court as he testified as the second State witness yesterday by insisting he did not want to know the source.
He was asked by Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, representing Sasa, investigations editor Brian Chitemba and reporter Tinashe Farawo if where the trio obtained their information was as good as their source.
“I wanted to know where they obtained their information in general and not the source because the source is protected at law,” replied Mugomeri.
Asked Adv Mahere: “What you wanted them to tell you was information that the Constitution says the trio have a right not to tell you?”
Chief Supt Mugomeri said: “No.”
Asked whether poaching was rampant in the country and the report was widespread prior to the publication of the story, Chief Supt Mugomeri said: “Yes.”
Asked Adv Mahere: “If tourists wanted to make decisions not to come to Zimbabwe they would have done so not basing on this report?”
Chief Supt Mugomeri denied Adv Mahere’s assertion.
“Your assertion that the article affected the economy of the country is based on your layman speculation?” asked Adv Mahere.
Chief Supt Mugomeri replied: “Yes.”
Adv Mahere proceeded to ask how many police stations Chief Supt Mugomeri contacted to verify if there was any investigation on the unnamed senior assistant commissioner.
“I contacted officers commanding 10 provinces in the country and each province has about 12 police stations,” replied Chief Supt Mugomeri.
Adv Mahere referred Chief Supt Mugomeri to a Press statement issued by chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba on November 3, last year.
The Press statement said the Zimbabwe Republic Police did not need to follow up on small police stations to find out if such investigations were taking place because such investigations were done at police headquarters.
“Can you see that what you are saying that you contacted 10 provinces is different from what Snr Asst Comm Charamba said?” asked Adv Mahere.
“No, it is not different,” said Chief Supt Mugomeri.
The matter was adjourned to June 6 when prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri will call two more wit- nesses.
Sasa, Farawo and Chitemba are accused of communicating or publishing false statements after publishing a story alleging that a top cop was fingered in poaching.
It is alleged that the publication of the alleged false statement adversely affected the tourism industry and the economy.
Online Reporter