adminthe State does not proceed with his trial on August 12.
Chinyama is alleged to have called a Harare businessman Mr Paul Westwood a self-confessed drug addict. Mr Westwood was testifying in the case in which businessman Temba Mliswa was accused of seizing US$1 million worth shareholding in Noshio Investments. Mr Westwood was the key State witness.
The lawyer who was represented by Mr Dumisani Mthombeni of Samukange and Venturas appeared before Mrs Estere Chivasa. Mr Mthombeni gave notice that he would apply for refusal of further remand if the trial fails to open. The lawyer, it is alleged, told the court that Mr Westwood was a self-confessed drug addict currently on medical rehabilitation.
Prosecutor Ms Memory Mukapa alleges that Chinyama made the remarks sometime in April this year during Mliswa’s trial. The State says Mr Westwood never made the averments hence the lawyer had committed criminal defamation. In the trial, Mliswa (38) and Martin Mutasa (47) were accused of seizing shares worth over US$1 million in a company. The two who have since been acquitted were being charged along with four others – Alfred Mwatiwamba, George Marere (36) and Hammars-skjold Banda and his wife Brendaly. – CR.
derick.khumalo