FORMER Midlands Minister of State, Jason Machaya, who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office has failed in his attempt to avoid trial after his application was dismissed by the High Court this Wednesday.
Machaya is facing charges of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly connived with Chisainyerwa Chibururu to divert one thousand government stands to a private company.
The two who are on trial at Gweru Magistrates’ Court, are alleged to have approached Gokwe Town Council and took control of the one thousand stands and offered them to a company named Stations World Marketing which later sold the stands to the public.
After the duo’s application for discharge at the close of the state case was dismissed, they approached the high court seeking a review of the lower court proceedings.
However, High Court Judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda has dismissed the application emphasising that the superior court will not interfere with bona fide proceedings of the lower court if there is no harm or prejudice to be suffered.
The determination by the High Court means that Machaya and Chibururu are going back to the lower court for continuation of their trial which was temporarily suspended pending the outcome of their High Court application.
