HOME Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo yesterday denied reports that Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, four months ago, allegedly budged into Avondale Police Station and freed two senior executives employed at the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), who had been arrested for corruption.
Source: Chombo denies Mphoko released Zinara pair – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 1, 2016
BY VENERANDA LANGA
Chombo told the Dexter Nduna-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport that he was unaware of Mphoko’s involvement in the release of former Zinara acting chief executive officer, Moses Juma, and non-executive director Davison Norupiri.
“I am informed about everything that happens, and the police never arrested the Zinara people,” he said.
This was after Highfield East MP, Erick Murai (MDC-T) quizzed him on whether Mphoko’s actions were illegal.
Murai then reminded Chombo that he was under oath and, therefore, must provide truthful evidence before Parliament.
“Which policemen are you talking about? Is it the police or the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission that arrested them? I really would want to pursue this matter and check the facts that you are talking about and I will make that information available to the committee,” Chombo responded.
In July, Mphoko allegedly pulled rank and ordered the release of Juma and Norupiri, who had been arrested for allegedly defrauding Zinara of $1,3 million.
The alleged incident occurred when Mphoko was acting President in the absence of President Robert Mugabe, who was attending the African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
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