Court was forced to adjourn yesterday after Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga refused to answer questions after being cross examined while testifying in the case of former Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) acting general manager Richard Chingodza and his deputy, Hannah Chitate, who are accused of swindling the parastatal of $600 000.
When asked by Chingodza’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, if the $375 000 he requested from MMCZ to pay the Police’s Minerals and Border Control Unit (MBCU) went into the MBCU bank account, Gudyanga refused to answer the question, saying the information was classified. Gudyanga remained silent when Rubaya asked follow-up questions, prompting the lawyer to ask the court to intervene and force Gudyanga to answer questions.
However, prosecutor Molly Mtamangira raised an objection and said Gudyanga was not allowed to testify on anything under classified information. Rubaya then requested the court to allow the State to bring an affidavit from the minister on whether the information was classified. Magistrate Elijah Makomo postponed the matter to today.
More: NewsDay
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