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THE State closed its case in the matter in which inmate Rusape prosecutor, James Abraham Wirima, is facing charges of criminal abuse of public office. Mutare magistrate Ms Sekesai Chiundura is presiding over the matter. Mr Malvern Musarurwa is prosecuting. The State closed its case on Wednesday after calling nine witnesses, among them two police officers.
The defence lawyer, Mr Passmore Nyakureba, of Maunga, Maanda and Associates did not apply for discharge, saying there were facts his client wants to put on record as he is alleging collusion between some Rusape court officials and a senior Criminal Investigation Department official. It was the State case that Wirima was allegedly paid $250 to facilitate the successful withdrawal of a rape case involving Watson Masikati against his two siblings, Liberty and Evelyn.
The case was dropped in March and the matter came to light after a complaint by the two siblings.
Wirima was allegedly handling the matter at the Rusape Regional Court.
He was allegedly operating a sophisticated bribing intercepting syndicate that involved Lazarus Bonde and Given Mudzibwi – who allegedly approached and instructed criminal suspects to grease Wirima’s palms in exchange of their freedom.
The syndicate’s shoddy operations were exposed after a $500 bribery deal involving Nyanga rape and robbery suspect – Arnold Hatinahama Tenderere – went sour.
The matter was reported to CID Rusape after Tenderere’s alert relative discovered that Wirima was demanded an outstanding $250 yet the case had been withdrawn before plea in 2013. This was Wirima’s the second arrest within a month and the third time in his 12-year prosecuting career, on corruption related charges.
Wirima is on bail on the Tenderere CRB 1538 /15.
He is also on bail pending appeal following his conviction on a similar offence committed in Zvishavane.
The Zvishavane case is under CRB 258/ 10. Ms Chiundura adjourned the case to June 16.
Online Reporter