Thom Mpinganjira’s case back Tuesday

The judge bribery case involving business tycoon Thom Mpinganjira returns to court tomorrow, July 7 after being committed to the High Court last week.

A notice of hearing for directions which The Daily Times has seen indicates that the case will be heard in the chambers of Justice Dorothy Degabriele.

“Take notice that the High Court has set the 7th Day of July 2020 at 09 O’clock for both the parties in the matter to appear before the Judge in Chambers for Directions and further conduct of this matter,” reads the notice.

Last week, Chief Resident Magistrate Simeon Mdeza committed the matter to the High Court after being asked to do so by the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB).

ACB Director Reyneck Matemba said he asked the magistrate court to commit the case to the High Court because of its nature adding that the bureau was ready to commence the trial.

“The ACB finished investigations and that is why we moved and in and arrested Dr. Mpinganjira. Since the matter has been committed to the High Court, the state is ready to commence trial,” he said.

Matemba then said the bureau would be preparing a dossier of disclosures which would be shared with the defence in the spirit of fair trial.

Mpinganjira’s lawyer Patrice Nkhono said the defence does not have a problem with decision of the Magistrate Court to commit the case to the High Court.

Nkhono expressed hope that the ACB will share disclosures of the case as soon as possible for them to have time to prepare for the defence.

Mpinganjira was arrested for attempting to bribe judges who were hearing the election case. He was later with three counts including that of Offering an advantage to a public officer and attempting to induce a public officer to abuse his office.