SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
20 March 2009
Chinoona Mwanda, the driver of the truck involved in the crash that killed Susan Tsvangirai 2 weeks ago, will be appearing at the Chivhu Magistrates on Monday.
This will be the driver's second appearance in court to face charges of culpable homicide. His lawyer, Chris Mhike, confirmed to Newsreel they expect to hear how far the state has gone with its investigation of the tragic crash which claimed the life of the wife of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. While the nation awaits the details from the trial, speculation around the driver's status has continued to grow after revelations that he was not employed by the contractor who owned the truck. Some reports claim he is a soldier, while others say he is from the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Mhike refused to be drawn into the details of who exactly employed Mwanda, saying the contractors involved should explain that. He says on Monday his client will go through a remand hearing, a process meant to confirm he had not absconded from the courts. The state will then provide him with the 'case papers' that will enable him to prepare his formal plea to the charges. It will be some time before the actual trial begins, he explained.
An article published by the Zimbabwe Telegraph website quotes a former CIO claiming Mwanda is a little known member of the organization. 'I first met Chinoona Mwanda in 2007 when we were in Masvingo. He was a soft spoken moderate recruit and was infiltrating NGOs in the area. I remember very well assisting him to apply as a driver with WFP (World Food Programme) so as to make our operations easier,' he claimed. The truck involved in the Tsvangirai crash is owned by John Snow International, a contractor for an AIDS project funded by the US Agency for International Development.
The alleged former CIO also said the incrimination of a USAID driver Frank Muchirahondo in the 'assassination' attempt on Air Force chief Perence Shiri was meant to smear USAID and create suspicions around their activities.
Meanwhile the new coalition cabinet has agreed to allow an independent international investigation into the accident that killed Susan Tsvangirai. The decision is said to have been made on Tuesday and will also see a commission of inquiry being announced. A report by the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper says Public Works Minister Theresa Makone, who was a close friend of Mai Tsvangirai, suggested the need for a comprehensive probe.
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