The High Court has postponed to October 28th a case in which Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo is facing accusations of abusing thousands of dollars sourced from the state-run Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF).
The case was filed by Hardlife Mudzvingwa of the protest movement, Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign, following police inaction on the issue.
Mudzvingwa’s attorney Simon Mupindu sought and was granted permission by Justice Loice Matandamoyo to postpone the case arguing that he needs to analyze the evidence submitted by Professor Moyo’s lawyers first before the case goes on trial.
Mupindu noted that he did not have time to read the evidence that was submitted by his lawyers as he did not receive it with ample time to even browse the documents.
Professor Moyo allegedly diverted more than $400,000 belonging to ZIMDEF, which he is said to have used to finance Zanu PF programs like the million-man-march early this year that featured ruling party youth that were showing solidarity with President Robert Mugabe, who had been rejected by war veterans.
A faction of the party allegedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is said to be habouring presidential ambitions, is said to be spearheading Professor Moyo’s arrest. Moyo allegedly belongs to another faction of the ruling party, which is said to be led by First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Professor Moyo has admitted that he used the money for financing Zanu PF projects and also buying bicycles for traditional leaders in his Tsholotsho constituency in Matabeleland North province.
Zanu PF factions are said to be fighting for the succession of President Mugabe aged 92.
In a related development, there was commotion in parliament on Tuesday as lawmakers exchanged harsh words when some Members of Parliament wanted to table a report on Zimbabwe’s funds for empowering indigenous people.
Some MPs claimed that Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, misled the president when he informed him that privately-owned companies had pledged millions of dollars towards the setting up of community share ownership schemes under Zimbabwe’s controversial black economic empowerment program.
The schemes were mooted after some companies, which have to part with majority stakes, indicated that they can settle for empowerment credits instead of shares.
Kasukuwere belongs to a faction of the party said to be led by Mrs. Mugabe.