Published by the government of Zimbabwe
9 July 2009
Harare — Airforce Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri yesterday testified in camera as a State witness in the trial of two men accused of making a false police report.
The State represented by prosecutor Mr Emmanuel Muchenga had applied for proceedings to be heard in camera arguing the Air Marshal's evidence included issues on national security. Magistrate Ms Miriam Banda granted the application. Soon after hearing Air Marshal Shiri's evidence the State closed its case in the trial of Dzingayi Moyo (60) and Gibson Maingano(25).
Moyo and Maingano allegedly lied to the police that Mr Allex Tembo, Mr Nesbert Chauraya and Mr Withus Masunda were involved in the assassination attempt on Air Marshal Shiri at Pote Bridge on December 13 last year.
After the State closed its case, Maingano, represented by lawyers, Donsa-Nkoma and Mutangi legal practitioners unsuccessfully applied for discharge.
Mr Banda said reasons for dismissing the application would be included in the final judgement.
Opening the defence case, Moyo's lawyer Mr Graciano Manyurureni of Manyurureni and partners produced letters allegedly written by Maingano to Moyo.
The letters purportedly detailed who was involved in the shooting. Maingano's lawyers immediately challenged the production of the letters in court, saying his client had not written any of them.
At that juncture the court ruled that the letters be sent to a hand writing expert to determine their authenticity.
The trial was subsequently postponed to July 21.
Moyo is denying the charge, arguing that Maingano gave him the false information on the assassination attempt.
Maingano on the other hand is also denying the charge, saying he never relayed any information to Moyo over the shooting incident.
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