HARARE — Former Zimbabwean government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, is facing arrest for fleeing the court’s jurisdiction while on trial for four counts of criminal abuse of office, according to the police.
The warrants for his arrest were issued before Kasukuwere (Passenger 34) expressed his intention to contest the presidential elections as an independent candidate.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed that two warrants of arrest were issued against Kasukuwere.
The first warrant was issued by magistrate Hosea Mujaya on January 18, 2019, under Section 174 (b) (a) of the criminal law code, as Kasukuwere had failed to appear in court in relation to case number CRB HarareR842/18.
“The second warrant is under 39/18, he was given his passport but failed to submit it back within the stipulated period, so the police should execute these warrants they are currently in possession of, and so far there are no indications that they have been cancelled,” Nyathi explained.
Saviour Kasukuwere dilemma in wake of presidential candidacy
Kasukuwere, who successfully filed his nomination papers to contest the presidential elections on August 23, had previously claimed that his charges were politically motivated.
However, the state-owned newspaper, The Herald, dismissed Kasukuwere’s portrayal of his charges as political.
“In interviews with the South African media where he is based, Kasukuwere sought to paint a picture of persecution by the Zimbabwe Government and alleged that he feared arrest on political grounds once he lands in the country to campaign ahead of elections,” The Herald reported.
Virginia Mabhiza, the Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, stated that Kasukuwere should comply with the laws of Zimbabwe and submit himself before the court.
“When someone is issued with a warrant of arrest, they should submit before the law. What he should do is submit himself before the law and seek cancellation of the warrants.
“He has his lawyers, so they should advise him on what he should do. His submission to the law is standard procedure,” Mabhiza said.
The authorities have not yet confirmed when the arrest of Saviour Kasukuwere will take place, but it is expected that he will face the charges against him upon his return to the country for the campaign ahead of the presidential elections.
