News / National
Zanu-PF law-maker faces fraud
05 Jan 2012 at 12:52hrs | Views
The trial of Seke legislator, who is also a shareholder for Wallace Laboratories, Phineas Chihota together with Fungai Majurira, who are facing charges of fraud involving US$30 000, failed to kick off this Wednesday after the defence sought another postponement pending a High Court ruling.
The defence had applied to the High Court to review a judgment in which Harare magistrate, Mr. William Bhilar dismissed an application to quash the charges.
The defence was arguing that Chihota and his accomplice must not be charged in their personal capacities.
However, the State represented by Mr. Zivanai Makwanya had opposed the application saying the accused used the company to pursue illegal dealings.
However, the court has ruled that the matter must continue this Thursday early in the morning, adding that the defence is applying delaying tactics which are now prejudging the complainant and the State witnesses.
It is the State's case that Chihota and Majurira connived and authored a guarantee letter requesting Mr. David Mabuwa who was by then the Managing Director to secure US$40 000 on behalf of the company, Wallace Laboratories.
The money was to be withdrawn against the complainant's property, a house in Borrowdale and the complainant surrendered his title deeds.
It is further understood that the loan was supposed to be re-paid within a period of three months.
However, the accused failed to repay the money in question and the complainant suffered a prejudice valued at US$30 000.
Nothing was recovered.
The defence had applied to the High Court to review a judgment in which Harare magistrate, Mr. William Bhilar dismissed an application to quash the charges.
The defence was arguing that Chihota and his accomplice must not be charged in their personal capacities.
However, the State represented by Mr. Zivanai Makwanya had opposed the application saying the accused used the company to pursue illegal dealings.
However, the court has ruled that the matter must continue this Thursday early in the morning, adding that the defence is applying delaying tactics which are now prejudging the complainant and the State witnesses.
It is the State's case that Chihota and Majurira connived and authored a guarantee letter requesting Mr. David Mabuwa who was by then the Managing Director to secure US$40 000 on behalf of the company, Wallace Laboratories.
The money was to be withdrawn against the complainant's property, a house in Borrowdale and the complainant surrendered his title deeds.
It is further understood that the loan was supposed to be re-paid within a period of three months.
However, the accused failed to repay the money in question and the complainant suffered a prejudice valued at US$30 000.
Nothing was recovered.
Source - zbc
