DIRECTORS of two Harare companies charged with criminal nuisance after they allegedly erected an illegal billboard in Borrowdale with damaging information to another firm have had their case further remanded to March 14 pending Supreme Court determination on their application for stay of proceedings.
The accused, Grant Russell of Fairclotte Investments and Mark Strathen of Paragon Printing, had challenged the High Court order to proceed to trial after losing the bid to have the charges quashed.
The duo had argued at the lower court that the charge was defective and must be quashed but former Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera dismissed their application saying they raised triable issues.
Aggrieved by the Kubonera’s ruling, they approached the High Court for review but the High Court again ordered them to proceed to trial and defend themselves.
The duo challenged the decision of the High Court and appealed against the judgement at the Supreme Court and the matter is still pending. The trial has had several false starts due to various applications made by the suspects.
The State alleges that on December 10, 2020, at opposite Celebration Centre,Borrowdale , Russell and Strathen erected a billboard with damaging information on WestProperties in a bid to tarnish the latter’s image.
The message on the billboard allegedly caused false alarm to the public and interfered with ordinary comfort or convenience of the complainant's clients.
The complainant made a report to the police, leading to the pair’s arrest.
- Manyowa revels in Night of Thanksgiving
- Directors accused of erecting illegal billboard further remanded
- Illegal Borrowdale billboard: case awaits Supreme Court verdict
- Illegal billboard: 2 directors further remanded
