SENIOR regional magistrate, Hosea Mujaya, yesterday recused himself from hearing the $85 000 theft case of Eddie “Kebab” Zviitwa and Keegan Paul Blumears, citing lost confidence by the defence.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Mujaya threw in the towel in the matter he had handled from the beginning of the trial, saying the defence was of the view that he was under pressure to convict the two.
“I recuse myself from the matter because the defence thinks that I am being pressured by someone to convict the accused,” he said.
Mujaya’s decision came after discharging three other suspects Taurai Makata, Obey Chakacha and Tinashe Hakunavanhu on the same charges.
Blumears’ lawyer, Admire Rubaya, also protested by recusing himself from the matter after Mujaya had insisted the trial should to go ahead and the matter was eventually postponed to January 30 next year.
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Meanwhile, Tajamuka spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi yesterday appeared in court for the fourth consecutive time since Monday charged with yet another public violence offence.
Mkwananzi is facing public violence charges after allegedly holding a protest against Choppies Supermarkets, a business partly owned by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko.
The matter was postponed to January 10 next year after prosecutor, Progress Maringamoyo told magistrate Lazini Ncube, that the State witnesses were not available.
In a different matter, former National Social Security Authority acting general manager, Hashmon Matemera, who is facing allegations of externalising over $340 million during his tenure as BancABC managing director, yesterday applied for refusal of further remand after the State had sought to have the matter postponed to January 31 next year.
Magistrate, Rumbidzai Mugwagwa is expected to rule on the application today.