THE trial of Harare businessman, Eddie Zviitwa, accused of stealing $85 000 from Taglan Hosvep, continued yesterday with the second witness, Luca Fabris, telling the court that he believed the second suspect, Kegan Blumears masterminded the crime.
By Mary Taruvinga
Zviitwa is the proprietor of Kebab night club.
During the trial, Fabris accused Blumears’ lawyer, Admire Rubaya, of being compromised after switching sides.
“After Blumears’ arrest, Admire Rubaya called me wanting to know if the money was for drugs or gold and at the same time, he asked me if he could represent Blumears,” he said “I was his client, as he represented me in 2013. I advised him against this because I knew there would be conflict of interests. It was just unethical to me.
“I even called Blumears on the same day and told him that I suspected he tipped the robbers or even organised the robbery but he distanced himself.”
Rubaya, however, accused Fabris of trying to protect Hosvep, whom he described as a drug lord.
Kebab stands accused of conniving with Blumears and three bogus police officers to plant drugs in Hosvep’s bag so that they could arrest him before stealing money. Hosvep allegedly lost the money when he went to Blumears’ residence intending to buy an excavator.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He was, however, allegedly told to wait, as the excavator would arrive wthin 40 minutes, but he sat in the car for nearly three hours.
The court heard that as Hosvep was about to leave on realising the deal had collapsed, a car suddenly appeared from behind and three men jumped out, identifying themselves as police officers. The bogus police officers then accused Blumears of supporting a Zanu PF faction known as Team Lacoste.
They also accused him of dealing in drugs and minerals, while planting some capsules in his jacket before requesting to search him.
Trial continues today.
