Harare - In Zimbabwe a former cabinet minister in the government of President Robert Mugabe appeared in the High Court yesterday facing corruption charges arising from the flouting of tenders. Mr Kumbirai Kangai (63), ex-minister of lands and agriculture, pleaded not guilty, with two fellow defendants charged in the case involving the importing and exporting of maize in the late 1990s.
Maize is the staple starch-based grain in Zimbabwe, used to make soft porridge and mealy meals. Its trading is controlled by the state. State prosecutor Dorothy Mapimhidze told the court that the three, who also include the permanent secretary of the lands ministry and the head of the state-run grain marketing board, breached tender regulations and showed exceeding favours to one grain trading company.
Mr Kangai is the most senior government officer to stand trial for corruption in Zimbabwe. He was arrested in March last year and released days later on bail of 250,000 dollars (about US $4,500).