Mliswa denies threatening Westwood

Court Reporter
Businessman Temba Mliswa, who is accused of sending threatening messages to Noshio Benbar Motors director Paul Westwood after allegedly seizing shares worth more than US$1 million in the firm, denied the charges when his defence opened yesterday.
He appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Morgen Nemadire who deferred the matter to February 17 for the State and defence to present their closing submissions.
Mliswa, who is represented by lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama, said he was shocked that Westwood had dragged him to court because they were in “good books”.
Mliswa is alleged to have said he could make Westwood “disappear” and hired bouncers to man Noshio’s premises in Msasa.
Mliswa countered saying he visited the premises once in the company of Martin Mutasa, Alfred Mwatiwamba, George Marere, Hammerskjold Banda and his wife Brendally.
“I visited the premises once with other appointed trustees and an appointment was set with Mr Westwood.
“We sat at the table in Westwood’s office and I was introduced to him as chairman of the board to manage Mr Banda’s shares and he welcomed me because of my business experience and financial muscle, which he saw as a boost to the company.”
He said text messages he sent to Westwood were to get clarification on an overdraft the company had and spare parts owed to a customer.
“Westwood had to account for the US$20 000 overdraft and US$5 000 the company owed a customer in spare parts that had to be bought from South Africa.
“And that is why I said he had to account for the skeletons in his closet.”
He denied hiring bouncers to harass and referred the issue to Nigel Murambiwa, who was appointed manager during the turmoil.