The trial of two Harare businessmen accused of erecting a billboard in Borrowdale suburb denouncing a property developing company has been deferred to April 12 after one of them told the court that he wants to accompany his child to Australia.
The matter was set for hearing Tuesday.
Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure granted the request for postponement although the State had opposed the application describing it as a plot to delay the trial.
Grant Russel of Fairclot Investments and Mark Strathen of Paragon Printing are facing criminal nuisance charges.
The accused , through their lawyer Tendai Biti recently filed for refusal of further remand saying their appeal at the Supreme Court has prospects of success. But Mashavakure dismissed the application saying there was no justification to remove them from remand.
She said there is no order for stay of proceedings, and also no documentation of the case development proof on why the matter at the Supreme Court is yet to be determined.
Mashavakure also advised the accused to follow up on their application with the Registrar of the Supreme Court for an update.
They are also challenging a High Court order to proceed to trial after an unsuccessful attempt to have the charges quashed.