Simba Chikore has case to answer, says court

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
An application by former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore for discharge at the close of the State’s case has been dismissed. He is facing charges of unlawfully detaining Zimbabwe Airways former secretary Ms Bertha Zakeyo. Chikore is jointly charged with Simbarashe Mutimbe, who was the company’s security guard.

Harare magistrate Mrs Victoria Mashamba ruled that Chikore has a case to answer.
In her ruling, Mrs Mashamba said the case was centred on the issue of freedom.

She added that for the court to reach a decision on whether there was unlawful detention, it should also know whether the gate was closed or not.

She said the State managed to prove a prima facie case against the accused persons, adding that they should proceed to defence case.

Mrs Mashamba deferred the matter to May 14 for the defence case.
In her evidence in chief, Ms Zakeyo claimed Chikore directed Mutimbe to bar her from leaving Zimbabwe Airways offices until she handed over her phone.

“The security guard, who was holding the remote control to the gate, approached the driver’s side of my vehicle and said ‘I am very sorry madam, but Captain Simba Chikore has told me not to let you leave the premises until you hand over the phone’.”
It is alleged that Chikore, who was then Zimbabwe Airways boss, connived with Mutimbe, and unlawfully detained Ms Zakeyo for hours, thereby depriving her of her freedom.

George Manokore represented the State, while Chikore was represented by Mr Jonathan Samukange.