Cottco Corruption Case: ZACC Goes After Court Officials Over Bail Conditions
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has approached the courts questioning a change in bail conditions of Cottco official Maxmore Njanji, who faces a fraud charge involving US$5.8 million.
ZACC cited the acting Prosecutor-General Nelson Mutsonziwa, the clerk of court, magistrates Taurai Manuwere and Marehwanazvo Gofa, senior regional magistrate Ngoni Nduna, chief magistrate Faith Mushure, Judicial Service Commission (JSC), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Njanji as respondents.
In an application filed through its executive secretary Sukai Tongogara on September 23, ZACC said it wanted to be furnished with a September 21 record of court proceedings that led to the release of Njanji’s passport.
ZACC also wants the court to give an order to the effect that Njanji’s passport remains in the custody of the clerk until the matter is finalised.
Njanji is being charged alongside ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Gokwe-Nembudziya Justice Mayor Wadyajena and Cottco executives Pious Manamike, Fortunate Molai and Chiedza Danha director for Pierpont Moncroix Mauritius.
They are on $200 000 bail each.
Tongogara said ZACC’s urgent chamber application was motivated by its Constitutional mandate to secure the arrest and conviction of all persons suspected of corruption, abuse of power and other improper conduct which falls within its jurisdiction.
The anti-graft body said it was supposed to be notified of any applications that might seek to vary bail conditions of accused persons whom it would have investigated for offences relating to corruption.
Tongogara said Njanji’s bail conditions should never have been varied as that would jeopardise investigations.
