Former Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) secretary-general John Gazi, who is already serving a 10-month jail term for fraud, was back in court yesterday facing another theft charge
Gazi, a war veteran, is accused of illegally collecting rentals for a city building without the owner’s consent.
He is also being jointly charged with treason together with MLF secretary-general Paul Siwela and deputy secretary for security Charles Thomas.
The treason trial is still pending at the High Court and the trio is expected to appear in court on February 7.
Yesterday, Gazi appeared in court clad in prison garb and leg irons.
He was not asked to plead to theft and was remanded to February 14. Gazi told the court the High Court was yet to determine the ownership of the property he was jailed for. “I am already serving a jail term.
The papers concerning this matter are at the High Court to determine ownership of the property. That woman lied over this matter,” he said, referring to the complainant Margret Zimbowora.
Gazi, who was supposed to be represented by a lawyer from Cheda and Partners, entered the dock unrepresented.
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His jail term ends on February 29. It is the State case that Gazi of Barham Green in Bulawayo was arrested and jailed for clandestinely acquiring a property, number 8 Napier Flats, 124 Fife Street in the city from Zimbowora of Lapford Road, Chadcombe in Harare.
In the new case of theft he is alleged to have continued to collect rentals from tenants renting the property without Zimbowora’s consent.
It is the State case that sometime between November 2010 and September 2011, Gazi collected and converted to his own use rentals at the rate of $220 a month.
The total amount he allegedly collected amounted to $2 420 and nothing was recovered.
