Former Mines Minister, Walter Chidhakwa has exposed the corrupt nature of the Presidents’ special prosecuting unit which he said is in the business of demanding bribes from accused people.
Through his lawyer, Advocate Sylvester Hashit, Chidhakwa also questioned the impartiality of Prosecutor Michael Chakandida whom he said is not fit to handle his case as there is a Constitutional Court ruling to the effect that he is not fit to prosecute as he reports to the President.
Adv Hashit accused the prosecutors from Mnangagwa’s unit of corruption and impartiality, exposing one Zivanai Macharaga, the lead prosecutor in Kasukuwere’s matter for demanding $20 000 from an unnamed accused person.
Hashit said he believes the money was to be shared among all the prosecutors also implicating the magistrates in the shenanigans.
“I have come to know that one of the prosecutors Zivanai Macharaga demanded money from an accused person whom I am not going to mention in court for security reasons. This shows that the courts are not partial and they can rule from directives,” he said.
“What I am not sure of is if you are also involved in this but once I find out I will come and tell you,” said Adv Hashit.
Magistrate Nyasha Vitorini dismissed the application saying there is no reason in recusing Prosecutor Chakandida.
He also trashed the application to have him recused from the case insisting that magistrates cannot be changed once a trial begins.
Hashit also accused the Magistrates court of lacking independence in prosecuting and making rulings in special cases, giving examples of opposition leader Tendai Biti case and controversial businessman Genius Kadungure who were denied bail that a High court had to be approached for guidance.
