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Zimbabwe chief prosecutor charged with obstructing justice

Zimbabwe’s Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana, who was arrested on Monday on a charge of abuse of office, or alternatively obstructing the course of justice, was on Tuesday night granted bail.

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Some of the four suspects who were arrested following an alleged abortive bid to bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm being led by detectives into the Harare Magistrates’ Courts yesterday.

However, Michael was luckier than his boss when he was released from police custody in the early hours of Tuesday without being charged.

Tomana released two men, Solomon Makube and Silas Pfupa, who agreed to be state witnesses in the trial against two more, Owen Kuchata, leader of a fringe political organisation, the Zimbabwe People’s Front, and Borman Ngwenya, a soldier attached to the Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps.

Last year, he was found guilty [The Zimbabwean report] of contempt of court when he refused to prosecute a ruling party lawmaker facing rape charges.

Tomana, who appeared before magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe in a packed Harare courtroom, was released on a bail of $1,000 and did not enter a plea.

Makumbe and others were arrested last month and charged with possession of weaponry for sabotage in contravention of Section 27 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 and Section 9 (1) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 9:24 (Terrorist Financing Offence). Tomana has denied any wrongdoing, said his lawyer, Thabani Mpofu.

The chief State lawyer was ordered to report three times a week at CID Harare Central Police Station, reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.

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“The existence of the factual reason entitling anyone under whatever title or authority to proceed against the PG will also be an issue on the next remand date”, he said.

Zimbabwe's chief prosecutor arrested, to appear in court today