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Court Reporter
TOBACCO Sales Limited Company (TSL) and its bosses accused of swindling a businessman of $600 000 in a botched flower growing business deal on State land, yesterday applied for discharge at the close of the State case.
TSL represented by Washington Matsaire (58), its former chief executive officer Richard Musvaire (54) and the finance director Peter Mujaya (52) pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. The trio are seeking an acquittal, claiming that prosecutor Mr Michael Reza, failed to prove the case. Matsaire, Musvaire and Mujaya told the court that they were acting on behalf of TSL and not their personal capacities when they handled the transaction.
Meanwhile, Mr Reza submitted that he had managed to build a strong case against the trio.
Mr Reza said the trio cannot escape liability by claiming to be company employees.
“It is clear at this stage that the three accused persons knew that Lot 1 of Manyewe Estates was compulsorily acquired by Government. This is because in 2008, they attempted to engage the Lands Committee to be given the farm,” he said. Harare magistrate Ms Sandra Mupindu, will make a ruling on the matter on October 17.
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