SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
4 April 2011
The MDC’s Deputy Treasurer General, Elton Mangoma, was finally set to be released from custody on Monday evening, after another weekend behind bars.
Mangoma, who is also the Energy Minister, is facing two charges relating to alleged ‘abuse of office’ after being arrested twice last month. He was originally arrested early last month on charges relating to a fuel deal. He was granted US$5 000 bail at the Harare High Court and released. But he was rearrested more than a week ago and charged again, this time in connection with an electricity tender award.
Last week, High Court Judge, Justice Yunus Omerjee, granted Mangoma US$5 000 bail on this second charge, but the Minister faced another week in custody, after the State invoked a controversial act that blocks his release.
According to the MDC, the State “resorted to its malicious actions of invoking the draconian Section 121 sub section 3 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act,” after the judge turned down a request for Mangoma to be barred from returning to work.
But on Monday, Justice Joseph Musakwa dismissed this application by the State, allowing for Mangoma’s release. He was set to be released on Monday evening.
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Arrested MDC-T Minister Mangoma Set for Release