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HARARE regional magistrate, Taurai Manuwere, has ordered the State to furnish former ZIFA leaders with a trial date on the next remand date.
The order resulted in an application for refusal of further remand by the former ZIFA leaders, on the basis that the State has been claiming that it is perusing the docket for the past three months.
Former ZIFA president Felton Kamambo appeared together with his suspected accomplices – Philemon Machana, Stanley Chapeta and Bryton Malandule – as well as chief executive Joseph Mamutse.
“It’s been almost 10 months and the State has not yet done anything to clearly prove that they intend to try the accused persons,” said their lawyer, Admire Rubaya.
“It is our considered view that the State gives us a clear timeline and what they intend to do as it seems as if justice is turning on its head. “It is our submission, and we have told them that they have no issues with the accused persons, who were suspended from ZIFA on the basis of a press statement and no suspension letter from SRC.
“They did not follow procedure.”
He added:
“They can as well release accused persons and recall them when they are ready because we will wait until Jesus comes.
“Last time we were told they were perusing and, three months later, they are still perusing. Parliament has said the suspension was irregular.”
However, prosecutor Godswish Dzivakwi opposed the application, arguing that the remand sought was reasonable and justified, under the circumstances.
The former ZIFA executive is being accused of fraud.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter