The assault trial involving Allied Security founder and director Bekezela Moyo and Pottery Industries employees John Farley Pietersen as well as his son Liam has been postponed to June 30, extending a legal battle that has lingered in the courts for almost a year.
The matter, which first appeared before the courts in July 2025, was expected to be nearing conclusion, but another postponement yesterday means the accused persons will have to wait longer to learn their fate in a case that has attracted significant attention within Bulawayo's business community.
John Farley Pietersen (56) and his son Liam (28) are facing assault charges arising from an incident that allegedly occurred at Pottery Industries in Belmont on July 16, 2025.
According to court records, Moyo had visited the company's premises along Chester Road to inquire why one of his security guards had allegedly been prevented from carrying out duties at the site.
The state alleges that an altercation erupted during the visit, with John allegedly pushing Moyo, while Liam allegedly grabbed him from behind and forcibly escorted him from the premises before the pair allegedly assaulted him with fists.
Prosecutors contend that Moyo sustained injuries during the incident. The state further alleged that a voice note accusing him of armed robbery was later circulated.
Keep Reading
- Villagers walk over 26km to reach local clinic
- SA hospitals hike fees for foreigners
- Villagers walk over 26km to reach local clinic
The allegations have been denied by both accused persons.
The case has endured numerous postponements over the past 11 months as the court heard evidence and addressed procedural issues.
With the latest adjournment, the matter is now expected to resume on June 30 when final submissions are anticipated before a ruling is delivered.
The postponement comes as John finds himself entangled in a separate and potentially far more serious legal battle involving alleged fraud worth approximately US$30 million.
Earlier this week, Pietersen, now listed in court papers as a 66-year-old self-employed miner, appeared before Harare magistrate Jesse Kufa alongside fellow miner Peter Mark Johnstone (58) on fraud charges linked to the ownership and control of mining company All Aflame Marketing (Private) Limited.
The two were granted bail of US$500 each and remanded to July 24.
Prosecutors alleged that John and Johnstone used false representations to secure a default High Court judgment that enabled them to acquire a 57.45% shareholding in All Aflame Marketing, a company that owns the Royal Family mining claims in Filabusi.
The complainant, DGL Finance Limited, a Mauritius-based company, is the sole lawful shareholder of All Aflame Marketing through its ownership of 170 ordinary shares.
The state alleged that the accused deliberately served court papers at an old company address in Bulawayo despite allegedly knowing that the business had relocated to different premises.
As a result, the matter was allegedly treated as unopposed, paving the way for a default judgment in their favour.
In a second count, prosecutors allege that John and Johnstone later approached the Registrar of Companies armed with a High Court order and falsely represented that company directors David Peter Easterbrook and Allan Brent Dolan had resigned, resulting in company records being altered to reflect the accused as directors.
The state contends that the complainants never resigned and that the accused knowingly submitted false information to gain control of the company and its mining assets.
The alleged prejudice suffered by DGL Finance Limited, Easterbrook and Dolan is estimated at approximately US$30 million.