News / National
Temba Mliswa to apply for discharge
12 Mar 2012 at 21:30hrs | Views
The 39-year-old BUSINESSMAN Temba Mliswa, accused of stealing 56 cattle from Rydings School in Karoi, notified the court that he would apply for discharge after the State closed its case last Friday.
Mliswa, who is being represented by Mr Charles Chinyama, appeared before regional magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni facing contempt of court and stock theft charges.
After prosecutor Mr Obi Mabahwana closed the State case, Mr Chinyama said he had instructions to apply for discharge.
He said the State had failed to prove a prima-facie case against his client. Both counsel would submit written submissions and Ms Mthombeni will rule on the matter on March 30.
The State alleges that sometime in 2007, Rydings Farm in Karoi, was gazetted and allocated to Gerald Mlotshwa under the land redistribution exercise.
Mlotshwa was the chairman of the board of governors at a school on the farm.
In order to protect the school, the board of trustees made an application at the High Court to spare the school from interruption because of the take over.
A provisional order was granted on October 5, 2007 and Mliswa, who had an interest in the farm, was among the respondents who were not to interfere with the administration, assets and programmes of the school.
But in January 2008, Mliswa allegedly sent his workers to drive away 56 cattle, which were part of the school property in contravention of the court order. On the second charge the complainant is Rydings School.
Mliswa, who is being represented by Mr Charles Chinyama, appeared before regional magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni facing contempt of court and stock theft charges.
After prosecutor Mr Obi Mabahwana closed the State case, Mr Chinyama said he had instructions to apply for discharge.
He said the State had failed to prove a prima-facie case against his client. Both counsel would submit written submissions and Ms Mthombeni will rule on the matter on March 30.
The State alleges that sometime in 2007, Rydings Farm in Karoi, was gazetted and allocated to Gerald Mlotshwa under the land redistribution exercise.
Mlotshwa was the chairman of the board of governors at a school on the farm.
In order to protect the school, the board of trustees made an application at the High Court to spare the school from interruption because of the take over.
A provisional order was granted on October 5, 2007 and Mliswa, who had an interest in the farm, was among the respondents who were not to interfere with the administration, assets and programmes of the school.
But in January 2008, Mliswa allegedly sent his workers to drive away 56 cattle, which were part of the school property in contravention of the court order. On the second charge the complainant is Rydings School.
Source - TH
