HARARE – The wife of former Information Communication Technology secretary Sam Kundishora was arrested on Friday after carrying a recording device into court where former minister Supa Mandiwanzira was appearing on corruption allegations.

Beula Kundishora, whose husband was turned into a state witness by prosecutors having earlier been arrested, was held on contempt of court charges after Mandiwanzira’s legal team filed a police complaint.

Defence lawyer Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba complained that individuals related to state witnesses were recording proceedings.

The lawyer complained to Regional Magistrate Elijah Makomo that such conduct was undermining the integrity of the court.

“We have noted that despite your calls, the former permanent secretary’s wife was recording. Police have been involved and investigations are underway,” said Magwaliba.

The lawyer said previously it was the son of former NetOne CEO Reward Kangai, another state witness, who had been found to be recording proceedings.

“I don’t know why they are doing that,” Magwaliba said.

This prompted the magistrate to warn the gallery against such behaviour saying it was contempt of court.

Prosecutor Tapiwa Godzi concurred, saying such conduct was not allowed in court.

The witnesses, Kundishora and Kangai, sat outside court during proceedings.

After a report was made, Beula was quickly arrested and taken to Harare Central Police Station where charges were later pressed against her.

Magwaliba said the continuous recordings and availing of information to witnesses was compromising his client’s defence.

Meanwhile, Mandiwanzira’s trial will kick off on February 22 after Makomo dismissed an application for exception to the charges by the Nyanga South MP.

The matter will be concluded during continuous trial on March 5, 6 and 7.

Mandiwanzira is accused of directing NetOne to pay $5 million to Megawatt Company, based in South Africa, for consultancy services without going to tender on the first count. He faces a second charge of appointing his personal assistant to the POTRAZ board.