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Harare businessman evades trial for 3 year
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Harare businessman Yitbarek Tekie has resurfaced in court after allegedly evading an attempted murder trial for nearly three years, returning last Friday following the promotion of the magistrate who had been handling his case to the High Court.
Tekie appeared before regional magistrate Ignatio Mhene, who cancelled his warrant of arrest, paving the way for the continuation of the trial.
He is facing attempted murder and animal cruelty charges arising from a high-profile altercation in Borrowdale.
The State alleges that in February 2022, Tekie and his alleged accomplice, Vanessa Evershed, confronted elderly man John Taylor, who was riding a racing horse near their residence.
Tekie allegedly accused Taylor of peeping into his property before driving towards him, hooting aggressively in an attempt to agitate the horse and blocking its path.
The State further alleges that Tekie attempted to pull Taylor from the horse by his leg. After failing to dislodge him, he allegedly used his vehicle to intercept and strike the horse.
CCTV footage captured by a nearby real estate office has been a major point of contention in the proceedings.
Tekie's lawyers strongly challenged the State's attempt to introduce the footage as evidence, arguing that the required legal procedures relating to discovery and the presentation of electronic evidence had not been followed.
In March 2023, then regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa, now a High Court judge, ordered Tekie to pay a fine for wilful default after he failed to appear in court on two occasions. The defaults resulted in his temporary arrest.
Although the State sought to have his bail revoked because of the defaults, the court allowed him to remain on bail as the proceedings continued.
Tekie's latest appearance came after the matter had been handled by regional magistrate Taurai Manwere for about three years before his promotion to the High Court.
The case was remanded to October 7 to allow the State to locate the complainants.
Tekie appeared before regional magistrate Ignatio Mhene, who cancelled his warrant of arrest, paving the way for the continuation of the trial.
He is facing attempted murder and animal cruelty charges arising from a high-profile altercation in Borrowdale.
The State alleges that in February 2022, Tekie and his alleged accomplice, Vanessa Evershed, confronted elderly man John Taylor, who was riding a racing horse near their residence.
Tekie allegedly accused Taylor of peeping into his property before driving towards him, hooting aggressively in an attempt to agitate the horse and blocking its path.
The State further alleges that Tekie attempted to pull Taylor from the horse by his leg. After failing to dislodge him, he allegedly used his vehicle to intercept and strike the horse.
CCTV footage captured by a nearby real estate office has been a major point of contention in the proceedings.
Tekie's lawyers strongly challenged the State's attempt to introduce the footage as evidence, arguing that the required legal procedures relating to discovery and the presentation of electronic evidence had not been followed.
In March 2023, then regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa, now a High Court judge, ordered Tekie to pay a fine for wilful default after he failed to appear in court on two occasions. The defaults resulted in his temporary arrest.
Although the State sought to have his bail revoked because of the defaults, the court allowed him to remain on bail as the proceedings continued.
Tekie's latest appearance came after the matter had been handled by regional magistrate Taurai Manwere for about three years before his promotion to the High Court.
The case was remanded to October 7 to allow the State to locate the complainants.
Source - Newsday
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