HARARE - Energy minister Elton Mangoma was yesterday arrested by police on charges of undermining the authority of the President five months ago.

 He was charged and released late yesterday.

Four detectives from the Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station picked up Mangoma, who is the MDC deputy treasurer at his Chaminuka offices in Harare around 1500hrs.

Mangoma’s lawyer Selby Hwacha told the Daily News that police detectives alleged that, the Energy minister who is also MDC negotiator to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) had insulted Mugabe in Bindura almost five months ago.

According to information sourced from police Mangoma allegedly said: “Mugabe Chifa, Mugabe Chibva” (Loosely translated: Mugabe  die, Mugabe go).

Mangoma was taken to Harare Central Police Station in a Mazda B1800 truck.

He was then taken to Bindura where he was charged.

Prison is however, not new to the Makoni North legislator who has been arrested three times in less than two years.

Last year, police twice arrested Mangoma for allegedly abusing public office by favouring foreign companies in the procurement of fuel and the awarding of tenders to procure some electricity meter readers.

The Energy and Power Development minister was acquitted by a HighCourt judge over the case.

Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said she was not aware of the arrest.

“I do not have any information about that. Phone me after an hour,” she said.