Botched piggery deal case faces collapse as key witness dies

THE trial of an Agriculture ministry accountant, Laston Mutaki and his elder brother, John, on allegations of swindling the government of $17 700 in a botched piggery supply deal faces collapse following the death of the State’s key witness.

On Friday Laston (40) and John (56) appeared before Harare magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta, who postponed the matter to March 7 to allow the State to find another witness.

The State sought the postponement of the trial, saying they are waiting for the death certificate of the former ministry’s representative, Barnabas Tozivepi, who passed on before commencement of the trial.

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