There was drama yesterday at Harare Magistrate Court during the trial of former Zimbabwe Warriors fitness trainer, Temba Mliswa, who stands accused of stealing farm equipment worth $300 000 from a Karoi Farmer, John Coast.
One of the State witnesses, Dixon Muzondiwa, who had travelled all the way from Karoi, left the court in stitches when he took to the witness stand and told the court he was surprised why he had been called. “I do not know the accused and I do not know why he is in court today,” said the elderly Muzondiwa after he was asked by State prosecutor Rufaro Mhandu if he recognised Mliswa.
What Muzondiwa managed to tell the court was his name before he was immediately dismissed from the witness stand after Mliswa’s lawyer Charles Chinyama said he had nothing to ask him.
The other two State witnesses, Norman Josiah and Rasweth Garandunga gave short testimonies and were also not cross-examined.
Both witnesses told the court they came to know Mliswa after he was introduced to them by Coast who advised them Mliswa had bought all the farming equipment and a generator.
According to State allegations, in 2002, Mliswa allegedly stole irrigation equipment and a 60-KVA generator from Coast who was the owner of Hesketh and Westland farms.
It is alleged he hired some youths who besieged both farms following which he allegedly took control of the property and allegedly stole farming equipment valued at $300 000.
Rufaro Mhandu prosecuted.
