News / Regional
MDC-T councillor facing fraud charges dumped by lawyers
18 Jul 2012 at 10:46hrs | Views
MDC-T councillor Johannes Ngozo was left to defend himself in his ongoing $10 000 fraud case when his lawyers renounced agency under unclear circumstances, NewsDay reported.
Valentine Mutatu on Monday told the court he was no longer representing Ngozo, accused of defrauding desperate home seekers in a botched stands scam.
The councillor then pleaded with magistrate Taurai Manuwere to have the trial postponed saying his sister had passed away and he needed time to bury her.
Ngozo, however, failed to produce proof of the death.
However, he could only produce the death certificates of his mother and father who died years back before the court gave him time to talk to his lawyer or seek new legal representation.
Trial started 30 minutes after it had been stood down with Ngozo representing himself and after 40 minutes in the dock Ngozo pleaded with the court to have the matter postponed, saying he was now suffering from a serious headache.
The State, represented by Brain Mzemba, refused to let Ngozo off the hook accusing him of trying to stall progress in the matter.
Ngozo maintains that he was being targeted by enemies in the MDC-T, intent to jeopardising his political career.
He accused witnesses of being used by fellow MDC-T councillor Aaron Gwalazimba and party activist Searchmore Muringani to report the matter to the police.
State witness Martin Mfure told the court he was a Zanu-PF member and at no time did he connive with people from the MDC-T to bring Ngodzo down.
The trial continues on August 2 when the State will call its last four witnesses.
Valentine Mutatu on Monday told the court he was no longer representing Ngozo, accused of defrauding desperate home seekers in a botched stands scam.
The councillor then pleaded with magistrate Taurai Manuwere to have the trial postponed saying his sister had passed away and he needed time to bury her.
Ngozo, however, failed to produce proof of the death.
However, he could only produce the death certificates of his mother and father who died years back before the court gave him time to talk to his lawyer or seek new legal representation.
Trial started 30 minutes after it had been stood down with Ngozo representing himself and after 40 minutes in the dock Ngozo pleaded with the court to have the matter postponed, saying he was now suffering from a serious headache.
The State, represented by Brain Mzemba, refused to let Ngozo off the hook accusing him of trying to stall progress in the matter.
Ngozo maintains that he was being targeted by enemies in the MDC-T, intent to jeopardising his political career.
He accused witnesses of being used by fellow MDC-T councillor Aaron Gwalazimba and party activist Searchmore Muringani to report the matter to the police.
State witness Martin Mfure told the court he was a Zanu-PF member and at no time did he connive with people from the MDC-T to bring Ngodzo down.
The trial continues on August 2 when the State will call its last four witnesses.
Source - newsday
