HARARE – The trial of former Energy Minister Samuel Undenge and businessman Wicknell Chivayo on corruption charges has failed to take off in Harare.
Prosecutors indicated they were not ready to proceed to trial as they were “overwhelmed” with cases.
The trial will now begin on September 14.
The ex-minister faces criminal abuse of office charges for allegedly unlawfully influencing the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to release $5.6 million for pre-commencement works to Chivayo’s company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, which won a $200 million tender for the construction of a solar power plant in Gwanda without a performance guarantee.
Chivayo is charged with money laundering, contravening the Exchange Control Act and fraud after he allegedly misspent the $5,6 million, with no developments at the intended site of the power plant.
Undenge is on bail pending appeal in an unrelated case of criminal abuse of office for which he was jailed for four years. He was granted bail by the High Court following his conviction by Harare magistrate, Hosea Mujaya.
In that case, he was accused of ordering ZPC to engage a public relations firm owned by broadcaster Oscar Pambuka and Zanu PF legislator Psychology Maziwisa.
ZPC paid $12,000 to the company.
