Former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Ignatius Chombo, and the ministry’s former Valuations and Estate Management Director, Lazarus Chimbo, who are jointly facing criminal abuse of office charges have been removed from remand.
Harare Magistrate Hosea Mujaya removed the duo from remand due to lack of progress in the matter.
Lovemore Madhuku and Joe Mambara, who were representing the co-accused, filed for refusal of further remand after the State failed to provide a policy document which is the basis of the charge and detect whether or not the co-accused were acting in accordance with the law.
George Manokore, representing the State, told the court that their efforts to get the document from relevant authorities were fruitless.
Magistrate Mujaya ruled that Chombo and Chimbo’s cases will proceed by way of summons.
The criminal abuse of office charges levelled against the duo relates to the sale of a government house in Mutare to former-Zanu PF legislator, Fred Kanzama.