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from Nashio Investments Limited – a vehicles accessory company owned by Mr Paul Westwood have applied for discharge at the close of the State’ case.
Regional magistrate Mr Never Katiyo urged law officer Mr Godwin Nyasha and Mliswa’s lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama to agree on a closure date adding that the matter had taken long to be finalised. The two agreed to have their submissions filed by April 27 and the ruling to be heard on April 29 this year. Mliswa appeared in another court in which he is being charged with two counts of theft from a Karoi farmer. Mliswa was not asked to plead when he appeared before regional magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi, but had the matter deferred to May 10 for commencement of trial.
Prosecutor Ms Rufaro Mhandu told the court that sometime in 2002 Mliswa learnt that Bonnavile Farm then owned by Mr Berret Hamilton was selling cattle and weaners since surrounding farms were earmarked for resettlement.
It is alleged Mliswa approached Hamilton and told him of his intentions to buy the beasts and other farm equipment since he was venturing into farming. Mr Hamilton then gave Mliswa quotations for the equipment and livestock as Z$1 000 000 and Z$40 000 respectively.
Ms Mhandu added that Mr Hamilton had to leave for Harare in November due to some developments that had taken place on the farm, but left his property in the custody of his foreman Cosmas Chirumenzani. In December when Mliswa learnt that Mr Hamilton was not at the farm, he allegedly went there and took 40 cows and 20 weaners, which he moved to his farm. Mr Hamilton is alleged to have reported the theft case to the police. Mliswa is said to have later issued a Z$4 million cheque with Royal Bank, but immediately stopped the payment. – CR.
Online Reporter