admin
Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
FORMER Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Trynos Nkomo, who is facing eight counts of illegal mining, has demanded that a Beitbridge prosecutor recuse himself from the case.
Nkomo alleges the prosecutor has vested interest in the case.
He accused him of tampering with court records to clandestinely change the date of his court appearance.
Last week Beitbridge magistrate Mr Godswill Mavenge Nkomo issued a warrant of arrest against Nkomo after he failed to appear in court on the allegedly altered date.
The court heard Nkomo and Sifanjani Moyo popularly known as Bhebhe are accused of illegally mining four kilogrammes of gold worth $165 158.
The pair is facing eight counts ranging from mining without a licence, transporting gold ore without a permit and illegally possessing gold.
Nkomo through his lawyer Mr Zibusiso Ncube demanded that Beitbridge prosecutor a Mr Kuvarega recuse himself from the case.
He said it had been agreed by the state and his lawyers that the matter will be heard on Thursday.
“Kuvarega has a personal interests in the matter and would want to see my client behind bars at all costs”, read the letter to the Beitbridge prosecution gleaned by Chronicle and copied to Area Public Prosecutor, Mr Blessing Gundani.
Mr Ncube said this coupled with the earlier question of how the matter was mysteriously referred to Beitbridge, eroded confidence in the impartiality of Beitbridge dealing with the matter.
“The prudent course of action to be taken by your Mr Kuvarega is to recuse himself from the matter. In any event the court in Beitbridge has no jurisdiction to hear this matter,” said Mr Ncube.
Nkomo is also awaiting a ruling on his application for discharge in a case where he is accused of fraud.
He is alleged to have defrauded Local Government permanent secretary Mr George Mlilo of $ 6 500 in a mining claim deal.
Mr Mlilo declared that Bunny Luck 2 Mine from which Nkomo is alleged to have illegally mined before registering it in his name, belonged to him.
Nkomo is denying entering into a deal with Mr Mlilo.
@richardmuponde
Online Reporter