News / National
Businessmen allege police misconduct in assault case
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An assault case involving prominent Bulawayo businessman Bekezela Moyo and the owners of Pottery Industries has taken a dramatic twist, with the latter accusing the police of mishandling investigations and succumbing to possible political influence.
Liam Farley Pieterson (28) and his father, John Farley Pieterson (56), allege that their July 16 altercation with Moyo at Pottery Industries in the Belmont industrial area has not been professionally investigated.
In a letter addressed to the Officer Commanding Police in Suburban, Bulawayo, the Pietersons said they filed an assault report and sought medical treatment on the day of the incident. They claim they were later informed that the matter had been registered under case number CR 42/07/25 and assured by the investigating officer, Sergeant Mususa, that investigations would be handled fairly.
According to the Pietersons, a police forensic team retrieved CCTV footage on July 18. However, they allege that at that point Moyo had not yet submitted a statement or medical report, despite having reported an assault.
Events took another turn on July 28, when the Pietersons were summoned to Donnington Police Station for warning and cautionary statements. Their lawyers claim attempts to seek clarity were frustrated as the investigating officer was absent and the dockets were unavailable.
"The following day, July 29, we attended Tredgold Magistrates Court only to be told that both dockets had already been sent to prosecution," the Pietersons said through their lawyers. "We were surprised to learn that the State had decided Liam's assault complaint lacked sufficient evidence, and instead both he and John Pieterson were now treated as the accused."
The State's case now centres on allegations that Moyo was "violently assaulted" and "defamed" by the Pietersons, prompting him to initiate legal proceedings against them.
The case, which has already been postponed, remains a point of contention as the Pietersons insist investigations have been compromised and justice undermined.
Liam Farley Pieterson (28) and his father, John Farley Pieterson (56), allege that their July 16 altercation with Moyo at Pottery Industries in the Belmont industrial area has not been professionally investigated.
In a letter addressed to the Officer Commanding Police in Suburban, Bulawayo, the Pietersons said they filed an assault report and sought medical treatment on the day of the incident. They claim they were later informed that the matter had been registered under case number CR 42/07/25 and assured by the investigating officer, Sergeant Mususa, that investigations would be handled fairly.
According to the Pietersons, a police forensic team retrieved CCTV footage on July 18. However, they allege that at that point Moyo had not yet submitted a statement or medical report, despite having reported an assault.
Events took another turn on July 28, when the Pietersons were summoned to Donnington Police Station for warning and cautionary statements. Their lawyers claim attempts to seek clarity were frustrated as the investigating officer was absent and the dockets were unavailable.
"The following day, July 29, we attended Tredgold Magistrates Court only to be told that both dockets had already been sent to prosecution," the Pietersons said through their lawyers. "We were surprised to learn that the State had decided Liam's assault complaint lacked sufficient evidence, and instead both he and John Pieterson were now treated as the accused."
The State's case now centres on allegations that Moyo was "violently assaulted" and "defamed" by the Pietersons, prompting him to initiate legal proceedings against them.
The case, which has already been postponed, remains a point of contention as the Pietersons insist investigations have been compromised and justice undermined.
Source - The Chronicle
