Trial of public prosecutor kicks off

THE trial of Henry Muringani, a principal public prosecutor with the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), on allegations of unscrupulously preparing and facilitating bail application for an armed robber, resulting in the court releasing him on two occasions, started yesterday.

Muringani pleaded not guilty. Through his lawyer, Mr Gift Nyandoro, Muringani said the allegations levelled against him were mere fabrications.

Mr Nyandoro told the court that as a public officer, his client meets many people and cannot recall ever doing a bail application for Tawanda Mutengo.

It is the State’s case that on December 20 last year, detectives from CID Homicide arrested suspected armed robber Mutengo, who had been on the run.

Upon arrest, Mutengo was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Mutengo was then taken to court the following day where he was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

On January 17 this year, Mutengo applied for bail at the High Court and his application was dismissed.

The court heard that while in remand prison, Mutengo heard that there was someone from the NPA who was assisting suspects facing armed robbery and other serious crimes to get bail.

It is said that the other CRB 12196/21 relating to an armed robbery charge was not captured on the bail release order, resulting in him failing to be released from prison.

On February 17, Muringani allegedly facilitated another bail application using CRB 12196/21 while using rape charges.

He allegedly charged US$200 facilitation fees.

The court heard that on February 20, Muringani phoned Murenzvi and gave him bail application papers which he delivered to Mutengo.