adminAbel Zhakata Senior Reporter
THE case of a Lebanese diamond dealer who – together with his fugitive father – allegedly assaulted his gardener and later set a dog on him over a missing diamond took a new twist on Tuesday after the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, claimed that investigating police officers and court officials were depriving the complainant a fair trial.
Cde Chimene who attended Tuesday’s court session fumed saying the gardener was getting a raw deal, alleging that the accused person was using his financial power to buy freedom.
Raed Mohamed Taissir Elfaki is facing assault charges in connection with an August 14, 2015 incident in which he and his father, Mohamad Taissin, allegedly teamed up to assault John Mukanya whom they accused of stealing a diamond.
The incident happened at Number 9, Stalin Drive, Morningside, Mutare.
After Tuesday’s court session in which the presiding magistrate, Miss Nyasha Kuture dismissed the defence lawyer’s application for discharge and ruled that Mohamad had a case to answer, Cde Chimene took a swipe at the police for teaming up with the suspect to harass the complainant.
“Instead of the police help the complainant they are helping the accused. The complainant reported to the police that he was assaulted by the accused who accused him of stealing his stone.
“Surprisingly the police came and victimised the complainant and helped the accused search the complainant to retrieve the said stolen diamond.
“The police turned a blind eye on the issue of the diamond which was found illegally and decided to deal with the theft of an illegal stone. It is my duty to protect citizens,” she fumed.
In court, Miss Kuture – after ruling on the application for discharge – called the complainant Mukanya to appear in the witness stand.
She told him that his complains on how the case was being handled were noted, but advised him to seek clarification first with the State before bringing up unnecessary issues.
The magistrate went on to give him an account of progress made to date.
However, this did not go down well with Cde Chimene who viewed Miss Kuture utterances as victimising the complainant.
The Minister said in as much as she had faith in the justice delivery system, the magistrate was letting her emotions taint proceedings just because the complainant had protested against how the case was being handled.
“The magistrate showed emotions, she became emotional as to why the complainant raised concerns. I am happy that the complainant told her before that he was not happy with how the case was moving. Therefore, she must not be surprised because she knew it. What is funny about a layperson who seeks clarity, why being so emotional? If there is a case, let it be so and if there is nothing it will come out,” she said.
The case continues on January 11.
Allegations were that on August 14, 2015 at around 5pm, Raed Mohamed Taissir Elfaki, invited John Mukanya into his dining room. When Mukanya got inside Elfaki closed the door and accused Mukanya of stealing a piece of diamond. Moments later, the court heard, the accused person and his father Taissin, who is still at large, started to assault the complainant forcing him to give them their diamond.
They told the complainant that they won’t be arrested in Zimbabwe.
The accused person then pushed the complainant out of the house and set a dog to attack him. The dog bit him on his right leg and back.
He sustained several injuries and a cracked tooth.
Online Reporter