John Vigo Naested, Bryan Michael Baxter and Angus John Thompson, who own
adjourning plots in Ruwa, just outside Harare, were arrested on January 6 at
the instigation of former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) chief security
officer, Joshua Banda, who went on to invade Baxter’s property.
After representations yesterday, Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa ruled in
favour of the three. The state did not appeal and the three were expected to
be released late yesterday evening.
The defence successfully discredited Banda, saying he had long held
ambitions of taking over the property of Baxter. Banda took advantage of the
fact that Naested trained boy scouts at his farm and misrepresented to
police that the facility was used for training of bandits to overthrow
Mugabe.
"The chief source of information leading to the arrest of the applicants is
one Joseph Banda who, in very simple and unwavering terms, wants to take
over the second applicant’s farm (Baxter), but has been met with obvious
resistance," said their lawyer, Maxwell Mavhunga.
"It is shocking and disturbing that state resources, including this
honourable court have been used and abused to advance personal interests and
resolve deep rooted vendettas. It is a case of a person who took advantage
of the political situation and proceeded to manipulate it to his advantage
in a savage and ruthless manner culminating in the incarceration of totally
innocent and apolitical elderly citizens of the country," he continued.
The investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Ngirishi, argued that he had
strong evidence but failed to produce it in court.
Mavhunga said their next step would be to ensure that Banda was removed from
Baxter’s property.
* Movement for Democratic Change treasurer and deputy minister of
agriculture designate, Roy Bennett, will remain behind bars after the
Zimbabwe Supreme Court yesterday granted state prosecutors the right to
appeal against a High Court ruling granting him bail.
The court said Bennett would remain in custody until a date for a hearing
was set. Bennett’s arrest has heightened tensions between Prime Minister
Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe. – Independent Foreign Service
The Star
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