ZimParks further lifts weight off Sunday Mail scribes

ZIMBABWE National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) central region manager Tawanda Noel Gotosa, who last time vindicated the three Sunday Mail journalists accused of publishing falsehoods, yesterday winded up his evidence by further exonerating the scribes.

Source: ZimParks further lifts weight off Sunday Mail scribes – NewsDay Zimbabwe June 18, 2016

BY MARY TARUVINGA

Under cross examination by the trio’s lawyer, Fadzai Mahere, Gotosa told the court that ZimParks was
also mandated to carry out investigations, adding the probe was underway.

The three scribes, including the State-owned weekly’s editor Mabasa Sasa, investigative editor Brian Chitemba and reporter Tinashe Farawo stand accused of having falsely published a report that a senior member of the police force was involved in the killing of elephants at the Hwange National Parks.

The scribes are also accused of having claimed investigations were underway to uproot the “culprit cop” in the poaching syndicate, which left over 100 elephants dead in 2014.

After being asked to confirm wether investigations by ZimParks were going on and that they were failing to apprehend the culprits, Gotosa answered in the positive marking the end of his testimony.

The trial will continue on Monday with ZimParks spokesperson, Caroline Washaya-Moyo taking to the witness stand.

On his initial appearance on the witness stand, Gotosa told magistrate Tendai Mahwe that Farawo did not lie in his article.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Charity Charamba, the chief witness disowned the story saying she never confirmed that one of her colleagues was being investigated.

She, however, blamed Farawo of putting her job on the line and the name of the police force in disrepute.

But, in his evidence Gotosa told the court he could not rule out the involvement of a senior police officer in the scandal. His statement was also corroborated by Charamba who instead demanded the name of the officer who was being implicated by the Sunday Mail.

Samantha Dhliwayo is appearing for the State.