Zimbabwe’s finance minister appeared in a Harare court on Monday to face charges of illegally funnelling close to $1,5-million of foreign currency out of the country, following his arrest at the weekend.
Christopher Kuruneri’s lawyers immediately applied for him to be released from jail because of chronic back pain, and to have him detained in hospital instead.
Magistrate Judith Tsamba dismissed the application, saying: ”The court rules that there is not enough evidence on record to depart from normal procedure.”
Kuruneri (55), who is the first Zimbabwe government minister arrested since President Robert Mugabe began his anti-corruption drive in January, looked composed in the dock.
He has been charged with four counts of contravening Zimbabwe’s strict exchange control Act, and one count of contravening citizenship laws by allegedly travelling on both Zimbabwean and Canadian passports.
Dual citizenship is outlawed in Zimbabwe.
Kuruneri is accused of taking R5,2-million, more than $580 000, more than £34 000 and €30 000 out of the country.
According to papers produced in court the minister — appointed only two months ago — had spirited the scarce currencies out of the country over the past two years, using the money to buy residential properties in South Africa.
For five years Zimbabwe has been suffering through a major economic crisis and periodic famine, including chronic shortages of foreign currency needed to buy fuel, food and medicines.
Kuruneri’s doctor earlier told the court the minister suffers from severe back pain.
”I’m making the court aware that this man needs treatment as soon as possible,” said Chris Mushonga.
But Tsamba dismissed the evidence supplied and ordered that Kuruneri be kept in custody until May 11, with his lawyers saying they will apply for bail.
Kuruneri has been held at a Harare police station since his arrest on Saturday.
Mugabe, who appointed an anti-corruption minister in February, has warned that corrupt members of his government will be brought to book no matter who they are. — Sapa-AFP