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Temba Mliswa's bail conditions relaxed
28 Mar 2015 at 09:34hrs | Views
Temba Mliswa, former Hurungwe West MP and ex-Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, has been allowed to visit his Spring Farm, following a relaxation of his bail conditions.
The businessman is accused of theft following claims that he was found in possession of several stolen firearms at his farm.
Mliswa, whose trial was scheduled to start yesterday, applied for the relaxation of the bail conditions and the temporary release of his passport.
His trial could not proceed yesterday after prosecutor Herald Matura told the court they had other commitments. He told the court that the province was hosting the Judicial Service Commission open day to be held tomorrow and hence they were busy with the preparations.
Through his lawyers, Musindo Hungwe and Kudzai Dongo, Mliswa told the court that he intended to travel to South Africa on business and that because of the previous court order barring him from visiting his farm, he had been reduced to a cell phone farmer.
Magistrate Ignatius Mugova granted his application. He allowed Mliswa to visit his farm once every Friday between 8am and 4pm. He also ordered the temporary release of his passport, which he said should be returned on April 10.
As part of his bail conditions, Mliswa had been previously ordered to pay $200, surrender his passport, reside at the address he provided to the court, not to interfere with witnesses and not to visit Spring Farm within six months from the day of the order.
Mugova yesterday said there was no risk of interference. He said if Mliswa wanted to interfere with witnesses, he could have done so, considering the advent of technology.
Allegations against the former parliamentarian arose after some rifles were reportedly found stashed in a trench at his Spring Farm fowl run.
The firearms included a 303 rifle, Patrone .22 rifle, Kal .22 I.F.B rifle, BSA 7.57mm rifle, K217.62mm rifle, 458 Witworth Express rifle, Vanguard 12 Bore shotgun and a 12 Bore double barrel shotgun.
Prosecutors claim Mliswa stole the firearms from Summerhill Farm in Mhangura in 2007. The State further claims the guns belong to previous farm owner Myles Walter Hall.
The businessman is accused of theft following claims that he was found in possession of several stolen firearms at his farm.
Mliswa, whose trial was scheduled to start yesterday, applied for the relaxation of the bail conditions and the temporary release of his passport.
His trial could not proceed yesterday after prosecutor Herald Matura told the court they had other commitments. He told the court that the province was hosting the Judicial Service Commission open day to be held tomorrow and hence they were busy with the preparations.
Through his lawyers, Musindo Hungwe and Kudzai Dongo, Mliswa told the court that he intended to travel to South Africa on business and that because of the previous court order barring him from visiting his farm, he had been reduced to a cell phone farmer.
Magistrate Ignatius Mugova granted his application. He allowed Mliswa to visit his farm once every Friday between 8am and 4pm. He also ordered the temporary release of his passport, which he said should be returned on April 10.
As part of his bail conditions, Mliswa had been previously ordered to pay $200, surrender his passport, reside at the address he provided to the court, not to interfere with witnesses and not to visit Spring Farm within six months from the day of the order.
Mugova yesterday said there was no risk of interference. He said if Mliswa wanted to interfere with witnesses, he could have done so, considering the advent of technology.
Allegations against the former parliamentarian arose after some rifles were reportedly found stashed in a trench at his Spring Farm fowl run.
The firearms included a 303 rifle, Patrone .22 rifle, Kal .22 I.F.B rifle, BSA 7.57mm rifle, K217.62mm rifle, 458 Witworth Express rifle, Vanguard 12 Bore shotgun and a 12 Bore double barrel shotgun.
Prosecutors claim Mliswa stole the firearms from Summerhill Farm in Mhangura in 2007. The State further claims the guns belong to previous farm owner Myles Walter Hall.
Source - dailynews
