First Witness in Ex-Minister's Trial Says Donations Require Due Process

The first State witness in the trial of former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi has testified that government property can be donated, but strict procedures must be followed. Deputy Chief Secretary Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu told the High Court that approval from the Ministry of Finance is required, and the request must be made by the accounting officer, typically the Permanent Secretary. The State alleges Mzembi did not follow this procedure before donating four LED television sets, valued at US$200,000, to three churches while he was Tourism Minister. Mzembi has pleaded not guilty to criminal abuse of office charges.

The first State witness in the trial of former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi, Mr Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu, the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Administration, Finance and Human Resources, has started giving his testimony.

Mr Churu told the court it is possible for Government property to be donated but due process has to be followed.

“Yes property can be donated but procedure has to be followed. First you need approval from the Ministry of Finance and the request is done by the accounting officer who is the Permanent Secretary,” he said.

The State is alleging that Mzembi did not follow due procedure before donating four screens to churches.

Mzembi committed the offence when he was Tourism and Hospitality Minister and later served as Foreign Affairs Minister before leaving Government.

He is facing charges of criminal abuse of office before High Court Judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero.

Mzembi has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The allegations stem from accusations that he unlawfully donated four LED television sets, valued at US$200 000, to three churches United Family International Church, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry, and Zion Christian Church without obtaining approval from Treasury or Cabinet.

Mzembi’s charges involve a total of US$2 million allocated from Treasury to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in 2010.

The money was intended to buy televisions for 40 fan parks to promote tourism during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. 
Source-Herald