Gushungo bombing: ‘Suspect was on duty’

via Gushungo bombing: ‘Suspect was on duty’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe March 22, 2016

THE trial of military intelligence officer Borman Ngwenya for allegedly attempting to bomb Gushungo Dairy plant in Mazowe in January, took a new twist yesterday after the police detective investigating the matter conceded the suspect was on duty when he committed the offence.

BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

Detective Inspector Morgan Chafa made the concession while being cross-examined by Ngwenya’s lawyer Exactly Mangezi.

“I am not at liberty to comment, because it is dangerous to say and I cannot speculate,” Chafa said.

Mangezi again asked: “Okay, what was the speculation you got when you were investigating the case?”

In response, Chafa said: “There was an aspect that he was on duty.”

Chafa’s answer was in part prompted by presiding magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni, who told him he could tell the court about the speculation.

Chafa was instrumental in the recording of indications by Ngwenya, which included going to President Robert Mugabe’s rural home in Zvimba, Mbare, the Chinese Embassy and Gushungo Dairy plant in Mazowe.

Chafa also told the court about the alleged aborted plans to poison Mugabe’s pigs and the bombing of the embassy.

However, under cross-examination, Chafa conceded the visit to Mugabe’s Zvimba home and Chinese Embassy had no relevance to the charges Ngwenya was facing.

Ngwenya is charged with being found in possession of weapons used for sabotage, insurgency, banditry or terrorism and money-laundering.

The State also led evidence from Standards Association of Zimbabwe quality assurance officer Franklin Chipendo, who examined the petrol bombs found in Ngwenya’s possession.

Under cross-examination, Chipendo conceded he did not test the effectiveness of the bombs.

“We didn’t measure what effect the bomb would have. I did not test (to ascertain) if it was going to explode when thrown,” he said.

Chipendo also told the court that a fertiliser bomb could cause a huge explosion if it was made in the ratio of 6:94 to fuel and industrial fertiliser.

The trial continues tomorrow.

Michael Reza is prosecuting the case.