Esigodini businessman trial fails to start

THE trial of prominent Esigodini businessman, Baron Dube failed to start on Thursday at Gwanda Magistrates Courts where it had been transferred to, because the court records were not there amid reports that they had been sent back to Esigodini courts without the accused being informed.

Dube, who is being charged together with four juveniles, learnt of the new development from the prosecution after he had driven to Gwanda in the company of his lawyer ready for trial.

He was advised by the area public prosecutor, Mr Blessing Gundani about the issue and told that the police will subpoena them when the trial date was ready.

Dube and his rival, Mthulisi Ngwenya were arrested on 28 July for inciting public violence, and were accused of allegedly inciting rival groups of illegal gold panners to engage in a street fight for the control of goldfields.

They appeared before Esigodini magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube and were granted $800 and $300 bail each respectively.

They were ordered to report twice a week at Esigodini Police Station and not to interfere with State witnesses as part of bail conditions.

Two other juveniles are languishing in remand prison as their parents have failed to provide their birth certificates to confirm they were under age.

Dube and Ngwenya are accused of inciting a group of youths from their camps to engage in public violence. Dube leads a group from Filabusi while Ngwenya is the ring leader of the Nkayi group.

On 28 July, the two rival camps fought for about seven hours in Habane Township over the control of gold fields in Esigodini.