The trial of former Minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa and his former permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga yesterday failed to kick-off again, and was moved to September 4.
Chidhakwa allegedly appointed Gudyanga as a lone board member at the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) with full knowledge that the MMCZ Act required a minimum of six and a maximum of 10 board members. Chidhakwa allegedly showed favour and appointed Gudyanga to act as the sole MMCZ board member until 2016 after dissolving the previous one in 2013. Gudyanga claimed $36 350 as sitting fees when no board existed.
The pair’s trial could not commence on July 24 after Chidhakwa’s lawyer, Advocate Sylvester Hashiti requested for further documents to prepare their defence. The matter was then remanded to yesterday for trial commencement. However, when Chidhakwa and Gudyanga appeared before regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa yesterday, they sought further postponement through Gudyanga’s lawyer Mr Tafadzwa Muvhami who indicated to the court that Chidhakwa’s lawyer Advocate Hashiti was engaged in another matter at the Constitutional Court.
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