Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira, who was arrested this week on corruption allegations was today remanded in custody by the Harare Magistrates Court.
He will remain in custody for the next 21 days
Mupfumira is facing seven charges of corruption involving US$95 million.
The State, represented by Chief Prosecutor Michael Reza, had sought her further detention in line with Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act where prosecutors may seek further detention of the accused for 21 days due to the gravity of the matter.
Acting chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi said assented to the request, saying:
“Given all these pointers linking the accused to the commission of the offence, the court is convinced that indeed the state has established grounds and facts which constitute reasonable suspicion that the accused person may have committed offences preferred against her.”
“The court therefore finds no hesitation that all requirements for the production of the Prosecutors General’s certificate …. have been met.
The effect of that certificate is to oust this court and every other court’s jurisdiction in determining issues to the accused person’s admission to bail during the life span of that certificate. The court holds that (the) certificate is valid and effective,” said the Magistrate.
“I therefore order the detention of the accused persons for 21 days as prayed for in the Prosecutor General’s Certificate.”
The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission is investigating Mupfumira for offences which were allegedly committed between 2014 and 2017 when she was Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister.
THE MINISTER’S CHARGE SHEET
– It is the State’s case that sometime in 2014, following her appointment as Labour Minister, Mupfumira allegedly used her authority to verbally instruct her permanent secretary to get a loan of US$90 000 from the National Social Security Authority to buy her a Ministerial vehicle. She is alleged to have proceeded to receive another government vehicle, hence prejudicing NSSA of $90 000.
– In 2016, Mupfumira allegedly requested for US$101 814.50 from the NSSA corporate social responsibility budget which she utilised for personal purposes.
– She is also accused verbally directing NSSA to set up a budget of US$350 000 to meet the Ministry’s demands and she later claimed US$303 000 which she used in her constituency.
– And it is also alleged that in 2014, she instructed the state pension fund to bail out a local financial institution, Metbank, against the authority’s advice, resulting in NSSA buying the bank’s properties to the tune of US$4.9 million.
– In 2017, Mupfumira is also accused of favouring Metbank when she directed NSSA to consider an investment proposal from the bank and as a result of her undue influence, NSSA issued treasury bills worth US$62 million to the bank.
– The Minister is also accused of directing NSSA to enter into low cost housing projects in Chinhoyi linked to Metbank at a cost of US$10.8 million without going to tender.
– The state also alleges that in 2017, Mupfumira used her office to verbally direct NSSA to enter into a contract with Drawcard Investments for a US$6.5 million housing project in Gweru without going to tender.