Katsimberis trial adjourned again

Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent

The trial of Harare building contractor, George Katsimberis, accused of duping a local property developer of nearly US$1 million after an abortive joint venture to build cluster houses in Borrowdale, Harare, will now continue from December 11 to 15 after his lawyer told the court that he would not be available in the next two weeks.

Advocate Tinomudaishe Chinyoka told the court that he was unable to continue with the trial this week as he was attending a funeral and would then need to travel to South Africa for medication.

This prompted Harare magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro to resume the trial on December 11 but then keep it on a continuous roll without further adjournments to cover up for the disturbances.

The trial has been delayed and adjourned many times usually on application by the defence.

Katsimberis made an application for referral of his case to the Constitutional Court. He then wanted a Greek interpreter because the language that was being used in court was not the language he used every day. He wanted his trial to be televised because it was being falsely reported by the media.

Katsimberis went on to accuse Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Michael Reza of telling lies in court. “He does improper things and gets back up from the media,” he claimed.