The South African national whose vehicle was being held by police in Matabeleland North for the past two months despite a court order heaved a sigh of relief after it was handed back to him on Wednesday on the orders of Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri.
Diedrick Jacobus Coetzer’s lawyer, Vonani Majoko of Majoko and Majoko Legal Practitioners, yesterday confirmed the release of the car.
“Yes, there has been compliance by the Commissioner-General.
“The vehicle was released into the custody of my client yesterday afternoon (Wednesday),” he said. Majoko said Coetzer was still in Zimbabwe because he had valid travel documents.
Chihuri, through his lawyers, indicated he would facilitate the release of the car on Wednesday, just before the hearing at the Bulawayo High Court of an application by Coetzer for the police chief to be charged with contempt of court.
The hearing was then postponed to yesterday as it was felt it would not be necessary if Chihuri complied with the order.
