The Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) has said that it will pursue criminal charges against Intratrek Zimbabwe and its owner Wicknell Chivayo despite calls by the minister of Energy, Fortune Chasi to throw away the matter.
Chasi argued that the case must be collapsed to give Chivhayo the opportunity to complete the stalled Gwanda Solar Project.
However, SACU, a prosecution unit established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to prosecute complex corruption cases, this week said it had noted Chasi’s comments adding that any interference with witnesses would be dealt with in terms of the law. In a statement, SACU said:
SACU is proceeding with prosecution of Mr Chivayo as has been directed by the Supreme Court. When the proceedings were stopped, one witness had already taken to the stand. A number of witnesses will now be called to testify in this case.
Intratek won the US$183 million tender to build the 100 MW solar power plant in Gwanda in 2015 and was paid a US$5.6 million advance for pre-commencement works but construction did not start.
The state alleged that Chivayo spent the money on things that were unconnected to the project while some companies he said he had paid for works on the project did not exist.
More: ZimLive