A ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) member, Borman Ngwenya, has approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial on fresh charges of treason, following his acquittal by the Magistrates’ Court on charges of money-laundering and possession of weaponry for banditry.
Source: Gushungo Dairy ‘army spy’ approaches High Court for bail – NewsDay Zimbabwe June 9, 2016
BY CHARLES LAITON
The matter was supposed to be heard yesterday by Justice Garainesu Mawadze, who postponed it to tomorrow, with the consent of both the State and defence.
Ngwenya was arrested early this year, together with Owen Kuchata, on allegations of trying to bomb the First Family’s Gushungo Dairy project in Mazowe.
Kuchata is now serving a nine-year jail term after he was convicted on his own guilty plea.
Through his lawyer, Exactly Mangezi, Ngwenya denied the treason charges saying he was carrying out a military-sanctioned operation with a view to have Kuchata arrested.
“The applicant (Ngwenya) denies fervently and vehemently the charges of treason being levelled against him.
“He will state that while he went to Mapinga, Zvimba and Gushungo Estates, he had no intention to commit treason, but he had been tasked by his superior at work, namely, Major Mashava, to monitor and entrap Owen Kuchata, a self-proclaimed leader of a political party, with whom he had developed an acquaintance due to the fact that they hail from the same rural area of Gokwe,” Mangezi said.
He said the applicant would state that this was a military-sanctioned operation, where he was tasked to work with Solomon Makumbe and kept his superiors, particularly Major Mashava, informed on Kuchata’s activities.
“Even on the day it is alleged that he wanted to commit treason, Major Mashava had been informed in advance and the appellant, together with Makumbe and Silas Pfupa, knew that they were walking into a trap. Phone records of communication made between the applicant and Major Mashava will be shown to the court,” Mangezi said.
Mashava reportedly disowned Ngwenya when the trial at the Magistrates’ Court heated up, saying the soldier was actually under investigations for being involved in politics.
Mangezi submitted there was no risk of endangering members of the public or any particular person, since his client was still a soldier sworn to protect and safeguard the interest of the State.
Edmore Nyazamba is appearing for the State.
COMMENTS