Katsimberi’s fraud trial taken over by another Prosecutor

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

The fraud trial for George Katsimberis will continue on May 16 with messrs Tafara Chirambira taking over prosecution from Mr Micheal Reza who was recently appointed Zacc chairperson.

Messrs Chirambira last week notified the court that he is the one who has taken over proceedings.

Katsimberis is facing fraud charges involving US$1 million after he built a show room without approval plans from the City of Harare.

During the previous sittings Mr Reza put it to Katsimberis that his request for a Greek interpreter was just meant to annoy the court.

Katsimberis is accused of building a showroom in Borrowdale without an approved building plan resulting in the showroom being demolished.

Mr Reza said Katsimberis had so far testified in three cases at the Harare Magistrate Court in English language.

Mr Reza said Katsimberis initially pleaded using English before Harare magistrate Mrs Letween Rwodzi but went on to seek the services of a Greek interpreter when the case was taken over by Mrs Vongai Guwuriro.

Mr Reza also accused George Katsimberis for forging a court record which he later submitted in court as the court transcript.

While cross examining Katsimberis on his application for referral to the Apex Court of the matter Mr Reza said the contents in the transcript which Katsimberis submitted to the court were forged.

Mr Reza accused Katsimberis of submitted a manufactured document and submitted as a court transcript to scandalize the court.

“You created this document. There is nothing official in this document. You forged it and submitted it in court because you want to scandalize the court,” he said.

Mr Reza suggested that Katsimberis typed the document in town to woodwink the court.

Mr Reza put it to Katsimberis that his rights were never infringed been in this trial saying all has been done above board and all the rules had been followed and nothing can be referred to the Concourt.