GWERU magistrate Christopher Maturure on Wednesday dismissed an application for discharge by a Chinese national, Liu Haifeng, who is facing an attempted murder charge.
In January this year, Liu (52) allegedly fired gunshots at Kholwani Dube, an employee at Ming Chang Sino Africa Bijou Farm, located on the outskirts of Gweru in the Midlands province, following a labour dispute.
At the close of the State case, Liu’s lawyers from Gundu, Dube and Pamacheche Legal Practitioners applied for discharge citing inconsistencies in the accounts of State witnesses.
State prosecutor Monica Mungwena opposed the application before Maturure dismissed it and ruled that Liu should be put to his defence.
Maturure said he would give reasons for dismissing the application on March 12, the day he delivers judgment in the matter.
The State and defence counsel were ordered to make written submissions yesterday and today, respectively.
According to the State, on January 21, 2025, at around 4pm, Liu, a farm manager at Bijou Farm in Lower Gweru, fired three shots at Dube following a misunderstanding over outstanding salary.
During the altercation, another Chinese, Wang Jun, a stores man, arrived at the scene and allegedly joined in the fight.
- Magistrates' court for Mkoba
- CCC activists trial stalls, again
- 2 robbers caged 18 years
- Zvishavane council bosses jailed
Keep Reading
Liu dropped his pistol and Wang picked it and pointed it at Dube’s head, before pinning him to the ground and tying his hands with a wire.
In his defence, Liu said he only fired two warning shots in the air after Dube had allegedly become violent, threatening to run over his Chinese bosses with a grader.
