HARARE – Former Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) chairman Stanley Kazhanje’s defence in his corruption trial failed to kick off on Wednesday after the State was served with a voluminous document.
Prosecutor Brian Vito requested for a postponement so that he acquaints himself with the contents before Kazhanje goes to the witness stand.
He is accused of corruptly concealing his personal interest in a US$10,000 transaction with controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s company.
The State alleges Chivayo influenced him not to cancel the 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project which had been awarded to his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Kazhanje is also accused of failing to disclose that his company, Terminal Engineers, once did consultation work for Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Vito said: “I received a voluminous document from the defence that I need some time to go through. We consented to postpone the matter to another date.”
Senior regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya postponed the trial to July 16.
Kazhanje had filed an application for discharge at the close of the State’s case saying evidence led by State witnesses indicated that he declared his shareholding and directorship in Terminal Engineers.
He also argued that he did his job above board by demanding several things to ensure that Intratrek performed its obligations, hence he never showed any favour to the company or Chivayo.
But the magistrate dismissed Kazhanje’s application, saying he had a case to answer before putting him to his defence.
