The Harare Magistrates Court recently summoned Augur Investments Managing Director Michael John Van Blerk’s medical doctor to appear in court to clarify on his sickness, which has stalled his trial on charges of malicious damage to property.
Van Blerk is jointly charged together with City of Harare officials Hosiah Chisango and Engineer Isaiah Chawatama as well as Samuel Kadye and Mandla Marlone Ndebele from Augur Investments.
Last week, Van Blerk’s lawyers said he was unable to navigate the stairs at the Harare Magistrates Court due to illness.
They also brought a letter from a medical doctor from Parirenyatwa general hospital dated 4 June 2021 which indicated that Van Blerk was not fit to stand trial.
“This letter serves to notify you that Mr Van Blerk Michael John is currently being followed up for depression. He is currently not fit to stand trial and will not be able to follow through court proceedings. He needs to stabilize first on medication,” said a Dr Muzvidziwa.
It is the State case that Van Blerk and his co-accused connived to destroy a show house built by Harare businessman George Katsimberis claiming that he did not have approved plans.
Katsimberis denies the claims and has insisted that he followed all the procedures.
During the hearing on an application for exception by Katsimberis last week, state prosecutor Michael Reza confirmed that stamps and signatures on architectural designs were authentic.
Last week, Van Blerk’s legal counsel successfully convinced the court to separate him from his co-accused citing inability to appear in court.
Now the court wants to hear from his doctors who will be expected to answer on when he is likely to be fit for trial among other questions.
Van Blerk, Ndebele and Sharpe are also in trouble for failing or refusing to disclose that the stand in question was built with approved plans and for failing to caution Katsimberis of the demolition before undertaking such a drastic measure.