Maridadi’s trial deferred again

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
The trial Mabvuku-Tafara legislator James Maridadi (MDC-T), who is accused of grabbing a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) parking ticket book, was yesterday postponed to January 28 because the presiding magistrate was not available.

Maridadi is facing charges of unauthorised borrowing or use of property after allegedly grabbing, in a fit of rage, a parking ticket book worth $2,50 from an NRZ salesman. He is on $100 bail.

Harare magistrate Mr Batanai Madzingira told the legislator that since the magistrate handling his case was not available, the trial would not continue.

“You are ordered to come back for continuation of your trial on January 28,” he said.

Prosecutor Ms Stylon Marufu alleges that on October 9, Mr Zivanai Muzokomba, an NRZ ticket salesman, was manning the NRZ parcels parking zone and was receipting parking fees.

It is alleged that Maridadi parked his vehicle at the NRZ-controlled car park without paying the requisite fee.

When he came back, Maridadi became furious and demanded to see the ticket book Mr Muzokomba was using.

Mr Muzokomba, the court heard, showed Maridadi the ticket book, but the legislator grabbed the book and drove away along Kenneth Kaunda Avenue.

It is the State’s case that Mr Muzokomba managed to note down Maridadi’s vehicle registration number and reported the case at Harare Central Police Station.

A Central Vehicle Registry check revealed that the legislator owned the vehicle.