Judge blasts Mugabe crony
Suggestions that Dr Robert Mhlanga would make himself available when it suited him were strongly rejected by the court.
|||Durban - The whereabouts of a Zimbabwean businessman, who was subpoenaed to give evidence in the Durban High Court in a case related to his purchase of North Coast properties, remained vague on Thursday, other than that he was “in Europe and the Middle East”.
And suggestions that Dr Robert Mhlanga – who is said to have strong ties with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe – would make himself available when it suited him were strongly rejected by Judge Piet Koen, who said: “I don’t care if it’s Donald Trump. A witness should not dictate when they will come to court. That just doesn’t wash.
“It would set a dangerous precedent that any high-powered businessman can dictate when they will come to court … it is unheard of,” he said.
Mhlanga was asked to testify by Martin Sherwood, who is suing Michelle Mauvis, wife of restaurant owner Robert Mauvis, for R5 million which he says she owes him for introducing her to Mhlanga. This was in relation to Mhlanga’s purchase for R100 million of Mauvis’s property.
Sherwood and Mauvis each owned about seven hectares of land on the doorstep of the plush Zimbali Estate.
Sherwood said he sold his land – which had development rights and on which he had built a mansion – to Mhlanga for R85 million.
He then, at Mhlanga’s request, introduced him to Mauvis, which led to his paying R100 million for her almost vacant property which she bought 20 years ago for R100 000.
According to documents before the court Mhlanga’s cash came from “various businesses in Dubai”.
Sherwood says they had a deal that Mauvis would pay him 5% of whatever she got for the land, but Mauvis flatly denies this.
In response to a request from Sherwood, Mhlanga has put up an affidavit in which he confirms there was some “introduction fee” agreement, although he says he does not know the final percentage agreed on.
The admissibility of this is being opposed by Mauvis’s lawyers, who say it is hearsay unless Mhlanga testifies.
On Thursday Mhlanga’s Johannesburg-based attorney, Paul Casasola, testified that his client had a “prior commitment which he could not reschedule”.
He said a draft of the affidavit had been prepared by Sherwood’s attorney and sent to him. His client had made one amendment about the percentage of the facilitation fee and had signed it.
In response to objections raised by Mauvis’s advocate, Spiko Dickson, about the hearsay issue, the judge asked if Mhlanga was going to be called to testify.
Advocate Greg Harpur, for Sherwood, said he could not be sure.
Casasola testified that his client had various business interests in commodity training, mining and property.
He had properties in South Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Zimbabwe, he said.
Under cross-examination, he agreed that apart from the Zimbali property, Mhlanga also had a house in Umhlanga.
“So he must come to KwaZulu-Natal. It would be a terrible waste of that sea view if he didn’t,” Dickson said.
Casasola replied: “A hundred percent.”
Dickson also referred him to a letter written by Sherwood’s attorney, which noted that an affidavit from him might avert the trial which, if it went ahead, would be a matter of public record.
Mhlanga would be required to give evidence “in public” and would be required to attend court for the entire set-down period.
“I am sure that filled his heart with dread. So there were a number of incentives for him to think he should play ball,” said Dickson
Casasola replied: “Point taken.”
The trial was adjourned on Thursday to the middle of next year.
The Mercury
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