A BULAWAYO lawyer representing a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) canteen manager accused of theft has recused himself from the case claiming he received death threats after his client challenged the use of police prosecutors.
BY SILAS NKALA
Byron Sengweni said unidentified people had tried to break into his house before he received a threatening letter at his city offices.
He is representing Felix Sangu (29), a canteen manager at Hillside Police Station in Bulawayo, who is accused of stealing goods worth $1 651.
Sengweni in June successfully challenged the involvement of police prosecutors in the trial.
He had argued his clientwould not receive a fair trial as police officers including the officer-in-charge Hillside Police Station Chief Inspector Justice Rabson were involved in the case.
Sengweni yesterday said after he applied for police prosecutors to be recused, on June 29 at 1am he saw unidentified people who had entered his yard carrying a grinder they intended to use to break into the house.
He said when he applied for records of police disciplinary proceedings against his client to be brought to court, he received a letter threatening him with death.
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“The letter read, “Anyone who mercies with the system gets a penalty, your days are numbered (sic),” Sengweni said.
“This statement was at some point during trial used by one of the witnesses in court against my client.
“My client advised me to seek a peace order but I said it is better to renounce agency.”
Sengweni said he believed the people behind the death threats were not happy with his client’s line of defence.
“I have a suspect who is bitter about the accused’s defence who thinks that my client is designed to sink,” Sengweni said.
“I hope the police will catch up the suspects before I find myself at West Park Cemetry or in hospital.”
Sangu yesterday appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Adeline Chikweshe Mbewure. He is no longer represented and the matter was remanded to today for continuation of trial.
A police prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega was the first to deal with the case. After Kuvarega was forced to step down, a civilian prosecutor Caroline Matanga took over the case.
Sangu is denying the charges.
Prosecutors said sometime between February 2 and 22, Sangu, did not report for duty and failed to hand over canteen cash, stock and records to other police officers on duty.
Police conducted a spot check on canteen’s financial records and discovered that stock valued at $1 260,76 was entered on the stock sheet, but change valued at $287,88 was not receipted or banked. Empties valued at $121, 40 were missing.
Sangu failed to account for the missing stock and cash, leading to his arrest.
