Usiphatheleni a�?robbersa�� acquitted

Vuyelwa Sibindi . .
WHEREa��S the proof?

Gad McDonald Brewer and Lot Virimai walked out of the Bulawayo magistrates court not guilty of robbery.

The two faced a charge of robbing a Bulawayo forex dealer Hamuna Magina of $4 000.

Represented by former prosecutor Abednico Ndebele, they fought the charge as the State failed to prove its case.

a�?The State has failed to prove that Brewer and Virimai were behind the robbery as the witnesses did not see the robbers and were only clutching at straws. The maida��s statement is contradictory, therefore, the court has no case,a�? resident magistrate Nyaradzo Ringisai ruled.

At the close of trial, their accuser, Magina vanished as the two acquitted promised to deal with him.

Brewer told B-Metro that he would sue for damages caused by the false accusation.

a�?I will be taking the matter to the civil court. She falsely accused me and ruined my life in public. I think it will only be fair for her to admit her mistake and apologise to me. It is not easy being labelled a thief wherever you go,a�? said Brewer.

He also said the suffering went beyond insults to his name and affected his family.

a�?Magina attacked my family, calling us thieves and dogs, and the chats (WhatsApp) were presented in court. Her insults and wild accusations traumatised my family. She should pay for dragging my name through the mud and abusing my family,a�? he said.