SUSPENDED Prosecutor-General (PG), Johannes Tomana, who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office, was yesterday formally indicted for trial at the High Court by Harare provincial magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe.
Source: Tomana formally indicted at High Court – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 17, 2016
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
The trial is set to start on February 13 next year. Tomana’s trial failed to kick off at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on three different occasions. Initially it was set to commence on August 29, but it was later deferred to October 4 and eventually October 17 before being finally moved to the High Court.
The then Attorney-General (AG), who is being represented by Harare lawyer, Tazorora Musarurwa, was remanded out of custody.
Allegations against Tomana are that sometime in 2004, the then chief executive of Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco), Bright Matonga, was charged with culpable homicide arising from an accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian, Chipo Chikowore. It is alleged Tomana ordered the State to withdraw the charges against Matonga.
The State also alleges sometime in 2006, Matonga was charged with contravening sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and in December 2008 Tomana allegedly ordered prosecutor, Morgan Dube to drop the charges against Matonga after plea.
In another matter, in 2006 former Zupco board chairman, Charles Nherera was convicted of corruption and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and in that case, Tomana was the defence witness.
When Tomana was appointed AG, he allegedly declared Nherera was innocent and wrongfully convicted and, thereafter, facilitated his release.
Former Bindura District Hospital acting medical superintendent, Beauty Basile was charged with criminal abuse of office, but Tomana ordered the withdrawal of the charges after plea in November 2009.
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