HARARE – Former Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere will be allowed to travel to South Africa for medical treatment after a court handed him back his passport on Thursday.
Kasukuwere is facing corruption charges over land given to former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s sister, Shuvai Gumbochuma.
“The accused intends to travel on medical grounds and is seeking temporary release of his passport until January 16,” his lawyer Thembinkosi Magwaliba, told Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya.
Kasukuwere, who lost his mother on New Year’s Eve, indicated he had to intended to make the application for his passport’s release on January 3.
Prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga did not oppose Kasukuwere’s application.
“After receiving the documents from the accused’s doctor, I asked the investigating officer to verify the authenticity and he has established that the supporting letters were authored by his personal doctor,” Macharaga said.
“The issue of health is of paramount importance and it is best that he seeks the medical attention that he requires.”
Mujaya ordered Kasukuwere’s passport, withheld by the state as part of his bail conditions, to be released.
Meanwhile, Gumbochuma, the beneficiary of the alleged crime, has since turned state witness.
