Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
BULAWAYO gold dealer Mohamed Daka has dodged jail time after threatening to “finish off” a well known businessman in a payment squabble that erupted right in front of a retired High Court judge.
Daka, who told businessman Bekezela Moyo that he would hunt him and his family “everywhere,” was slapped with a six month sentence that was wholly suspended on condition he behaves himself and quits the hitman talk.
The gold dealer exploded in July during a meeting at the offices of retired Justice Maphios Cheda. Tempers boiled, chairs shifted, and Daka allegedly launched into a monologue that had everyone questioning their life choices.
“I wanted to kill you before, but now I am going to kill you. I am following you with your family everywhere. I have people following you and watching your house,” Daka said.
Moyo quickly reported the threats, and Justice Cheda backed him with a written statement detailing the chaotic showdown.
The storm has taken another turbulent twist with Moyo hitting Daka with a US$250 000 civil suit for defamation after the gold dealer allegedly circulated a WhatsApp voice note accusing him of attempting an armed robbery at Pottery Industries and calling him a “convicted armed robber.”
While Daka tiptoes out of criminal trouble, the Pottery Industries courtroom circus is only warming up.
On Monday, the father and son team that runs Pottery Industries, John Farley and Liam Farley Pieterson, took their place in the dock as their assault trial kicked off at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts.
Moyo, still in battle mode, told the court the duo pushed, grabbed and punched him during a heated confrontation at their Belmont premises in July when he questioned why one of his security guards had been barred from duty while gold ore was being processed.
According to the State, the Pietersons ganged up on him and frog marched him off the property with a few fists thrown in for emphasis. The pair denied everything and claimed Moyo started the chaos with the first swing.
The proceedings have already seen tempers flare, prompting magistrate Themba Chimiso to warn defence lawyer Sifiso Nkomo to stop turning the courtroom into a wrestling ring with aggressive questioning.
The trial continues today with another witness expected to step into the spotlight.
