Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: MDC MP Chimina acquitted | Newsday (News)

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

Chiwundura MP Livingstone Chimina (MDC Alliance) was last Friday acquitted on charges of inciting violence.

Gweru provincial magistrate Charity Maphosa ruled that the State had failed to provide enough evidence to prove claims that Chimina incited opposition supporters to participate in violent anti-government protests in January this year.

Chimina’s lawyer, Brian Dube, had argued that the State failed to prove a prima facie case against his client.

Dube also submitted that Chimina was facing trumped-up charges, which he said were politically driven.

Allegations were that Chimina incited and led protesters in the January 14-16 demonstrations against fuel price hikes.

The State’s case was that on January 15 at around 10am, Chimina led protesters to Mkoba 5 turn-off and barricaded the road leading to the city centre using stones, logs and burning tyres.

Chimina, however, denied the charges, saying he was at his house in Mkoba 14 at the time the alleged offence was committed.

The post MDC MP Chimina acquitted appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

The post MDC MP Chimina acquitted appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Matonga fights to overturn US$280k default judgment | Newsday (News)

BY CHARLES LAITON

FORMER Information deputy minister Bright Matonga has approached the High Court seeking rescission of judgment after he was recently slapped with a US$280 000 default judgment following an application by his former girlfriend’s company, Dubtess Investments (Pvt) Ltd.

Last week, Matonga’s girlfriend, Thombizodwa Choto, engaged the court seeking an order to compel him to appear in person at the American Embassy, where he was to give his consent for his son to travel to the United States with her.

Choto claims Matonga refused to go and sign his son’s consent papers, arguing that her company, Dubtess Investments, had attached his property through a court order.

Matonga is now seeking a court order to rescind a judgment which he claims Choto clandestinely obtained.

“I was unaware that the matter had been set down for hearing as I was never served with same. As fully appears on the notice of renunciation of agency and the summons, my domicile citandi has always been Chigwell Farm, Chegutu and not Number 431 Wheeldon Avenue, Helensvale, Borrowdale. The notice of set down was clearly served on a wrong address,” Matonga said in his affidavit.

“As a result of this, plaintiff (Dubtess Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Olefinic Investments) obtained default judgment against me on January 22, 2018. I only learnt that default judgment had been granted against me on February 20, 2019 when I was served with a writ of execution and a notice of seizure and attachment by the Sheriff of Zimbabwe. The goods attached are set to be removed on March 26, 2019.”

The former minister said it was evident that the use of the wrong address for service of the notice of set down by Dubtess Investments (Pvt) Ltd was intentional since the same party elected to execute at the correct address which Matonga had previously provided.

“I am advised that the judgment was sought in error in that I was never served with the notice of set down. The notice of set down was served on unknown address, which address I have never resided. Further, I am advised that default judgment was granted in error in that there was no return of service of the notice of set down in the record which proved that I had been served with the notice of set down.”

The matter is pending.

The post Matonga fights to overturn US$280k default judgment appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

The post Matonga fights to overturn US$280k default judgment appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: New twist to rhino horns case | Newsday (News)

BY CHARLES LAITON

The seven Chinese nationals charged with illegal possession of more than 20kg of rhinoceros horn pieces worth $1 million got temporal reprieve after Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese last Friday granted an order stopping their trial at the Hwange Magistrates’ Court, pending review.

Zeng Dengui (35), Peicon Jang (35), Liu Cheng (23), Yu Xian (25), Yong Zhu (25), Chen Zhiangfu (30) and Qui Jincheng (29) have been in custody since their arrest on December 23, 2018.

Through their lawyer, Martin Chasakara, the accused denied charges of money-laundering and possession of rhino horns when they appeared before regional magistrate Collet Ncube who however, dismissed their application for discharge at the close of the State’s submissions.

Irked by Ncube’s determination, Chasakara then approached the High Court seeking a review of the magistrates’ decision and an order for stay of prosecution.

“Pending the finalisation of this matter, the applicants (seven suspects) be and are hereby granted the following relief; that the proceedings in CRB HWN 50-6/19 be and are hereby stayed pending the return date of the provisional order,” Justice Makonese ruled.

During the trial, the State represented by Martha Cheda and Memory Munsaka led evidence from police officers and investigators from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Allegations against the seven are that on December 23, they were found, at their rented apartment in Victoria Falls, in possession of several pieces of rhinoceros horns weighing 20,98kg valued at $938 700. This was after police had received a tip-off and raided the house.

The search led to the recovery of plastic bags hidden under the bed containing both semi and processed rhino horns which had been cut into small pieces. Other pieces had been placed in a silver suitcase.

Detectives also recovered a portable digital scale.

The post New twist to rhino horns case appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

The post New twist to rhino horns case appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

A MAN from Trenance suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly raping and robbing a woman from the same suburb moments after they both disembarked from a pirate taxi. Bekithemba Nkomo (23) is alleged to have raped a woman who is twice his age last Friday at about 8PM. Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Inspector […]

A 25-YEAR-OLD woman is battling for life at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after she was mauled by her landlord’s five vicious dogs in West Somerton suburb. Ms Cherish Muchegwa sustained serious injuries after she was bitten by the dogs resulting in her being hospitalised at Mater Dei Hospital before she was transferred to the UBH […]