Munodawafa’s trial fails to take off again

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
THE trial of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Munesushe Munodawafa accused of ordering Air Zimbabwe to pay Navistar Insurance Brokers $305 000 apparently without any reason, failed to start yesterday after the defence was afforded more time to prepare their defence.

Munodawafa appeared before Mr Hoseah Mujaya and his lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange sought for a postponement of the matter on the basis that he was served with bulky State papers last Friday and needed time to go through them and prepare their defence.

The trial was adjourned to May 11 and former Air Zimbabwe company secretary Grace Pfumbidzayi is among 22 witnesses who will testify.

Munodawafa is facing two counts of criminal abuse of office and this is the second time his trial has failed to kick-off.

Prosecuting, Mr Timothy Makoni alleges that on November 3, 2009 an MA60 aircraft was involved in an accident at the Harare International Airport after wild pigs wandered across the runway.

The aircraft was a complete write-off and the airline was paid $6,1 million by its London re-insurer, Chartis Insurance Company.

On April 23, 2010 Chartis Insurance made a counter claim of the same amount against CAAZ for their negligence in failing to ensure that the runway was safe.

The claim included $2 419,724 for loss of business by Airzim.

CAAZ, which is Government-owned, approached Munodawafa’s office for assistance and he in turn appointed Navistar Insurance Brokers to go to London and negotiate an out-of-court settlement without going to tender, it is alleged.

At the time of Navistar’s appointment, Munodawafa was fully aware that CAAZ’s insurance broker was Marsh Insurance Brokers.

Upon the return of Navistar from London, Munodawafa wrote to the then Airzim accounting officer, Innocent Mavhunga, directing him to pay Navistar a “success fee” of $305 000.

It is alleged there was no logic for Munodawafa to appoint Navistar for the task when CAAZ’s broker was Marsh Insurance Brokers.