Mliswa’s case to reopen

in Noshio Motors worth over US$1 million has taken a new twist with the State now seeking to reopen its case.
The prosecution wants to call more witnesses.
The move follows an application for discharge by Mliswa and his alleged accomplices George Marere (36), Martin Mutasa (47), Hammarskjold Banda and his wife Brendaly and Alfred Mwatiwamba on Wednesday.
Mr Charles Chinyama is appearing for the six.
The State had closed its case after leading evidence from the complainant Mr Paul Westwood.
Evidence from the Registrar of Companies was accepted in the form of a written statement with the consent of the defence.
In a letter filed on record the prosecutor Mr Godknows Nyasha gave notice of his intention to make an application seeking to reopen the State case. He wants to call two or more witnesses.
“Further take notice that the State thereafter will then file its response to an application for discharge at the close of the State case,” read the notice.
The defence is seeking the acquittal of the six on the grounds that the State has failed to prove a solid case against the six. Mr Chinyama also submitted that the star witness in the case Mr Westwood was a self-confessed drug addict currently on medical rehabilitation. The court, he argued, might be dealing with the evidence of a person not in his senses.
It is the State case that sometime in December 2009, Mliswa in the company of his accomplices visited Noshio Motors and misrepresented that he was the vice-president of the Affirmative Action Group.
He allegedly claimed that Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had sent him and that President Mugabe was aware of his take-over of Noshio Motors adding that it was in line with the country’s indigenisation programme. – CR.