Businessmen tussle over building plan

PROPERTY developer George Katsimberis was stopped from “sneaking in” new evidence in court while testifying in a case of perjury against Pokugara Properties’ former managing director Michael van Blerk.

Katsimberis is accusing Van Blerk of lying in a sworn affidavit that a show house he constructed was built without an approved building plan from the City of Harare.

The property developer led evidence through prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga and was cross-examined by Van Blerk’s lawyer advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara.

After Zhuwarara’s cross examination, Katsimberis was given a chance to elaborate and he brought in new evidence.

Zhuwarara, however, objected to attempts to bring in new evidence.

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna ruled against Katsimberis and told him not to give new evidence.

Under cross-examination last week, Katsimberis said the building plan that was allegedly fraudulently approved was filed by someone else. He also blamed his engineer for the mess.

Katsimberis also told the court that the building plan for build cluster houses in Borrowdale was approved at the City of Harare, Cleveland offices.

The State alleged that Van Blerk in his personal capacity and representing Pokugara Properties filed a false written statement and lied in a sworn affidavit that a show house constructed by land developer Katsimberis was built without an approved building plan from the City of Harare.

The show house in question was constructed by Katsimberis under a joint venture deal with Pokugara Properties. But Van Blerk is denying the perjury allegation.