HIGH Court judge Justice Amy Tsanga has requested that she be furnished with the employment status and return ticket for a Chinese national, Chen Guoliang, who was arrested at the Harare International Airport for illegal possession of 17 pieces of raw ivory, before she could determine whether to consider him for bail.
CHARLES LAITON,SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Justice Tsanga made the demands after prosecutor Douglas Chesa told the court that investigating officer Nunurai Dhoronga was in possession of Chen’s passport. The court also heard that Chen had claimed to be in possession of a Zimbabwean resident permit. Chesa said Dhoronga had also indicated in his affidavit that there was a language barrier between him and Chen to such an extent that he failed to properly communicate with him.
Justice Tsanga, however, said in the absence of enough information, she could not make an informed decision and ordered Chen’s lawyer Tendai Toto to supply the court with relevant proof of his client’s employment and residence status.
“I would suggest that you present these papers before this court, the permit, proof of where he is employed and proof of his e-ticket. The matter is rolled over to tomorrow,” Justice Tsanga said.
Toto told the court that Chen was a locally based engineer who had a temporary resident permit which is set to expire next year .
