BULAWAYO – Retired High Court judge Justice Maphios Cheda is set to testify in the upcoming trial of a Bulawayo businessman accused of threatening to kill a service provider during a payment dispute.
The accused, Mohammed Daka, 47, who serves as general manager at Fools Mine, is facing charges of threatening to commit murder under Section 186(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors allege Daka made the threats on June 21, 2025, during a heated meeting with complainant Bekezela Moyo, 50, at the offices of Cheda & Cheda Associates, where Justice Cheda now practices law.
According to the State, the meeting was meant to discuss a payment plan over outstanding fees owed to Moyo’s security services company. However, tensions allegedly escalated, and Daka is said to have issued chilling threats.
“I wanted to kill you before, but now I am going to kill you. I am following you with family everywhere. I have people following you and watching your house,” Daka allegedly told Moyo.
Justice Cheda was reportedly present during the exchange and is listed as a key witness in the state’s case.
The trial was initially set for late July, but Justice Cheda, in a letter dated July 31 to the Clerk of Court, advised that he had prior commitments and requested a postponement.
The case has since been remanded to August 21, and will be heard before magistrate Challenge Mahembe.
Daka was first arraigned on June 26 before magistrate Eva Matura, with Nkanyezi Xaba representing the State. The matter was rolled over to allow for further investigations.
Prosecutor Veronica Manyuka will now lead the state’s case when the trial resumes.
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