Tendai Rupapa Court Reporter
THE trial of a foreign currency dealer who allegedly gave away her colleagues to robbers who posed as police officers before robbing them of US$11 000 and R50 000 started yesterday. Letwin Maliselo (31), who operates near the Roadport Bus

terminus, allegedly worked in cahoots with Marchael Hovhiyo Nyakwima (26) and four others who are still at large.
Maliselo and Hovhiyo were yesterday formally charged with robbery when their trial started before regional magistrate Ms Esthere Chivasa. The two, who are denying the charges disowned their statements to the police. They claimed the statements in which they admitted to two counts of robbery were made under duress.

After the two had pleaded not guilty, prosecutor Mr Michael Reza intended to produce the cautioned statements to the court, but the pair, through their lawyers, challenged the statements. They claimed that they were assaulted, tortured and forced to admit to the charges while in police custody.

The State maintained that the statements were recorded voluntarily.
Investigating officer Detective Assistant Inspector Joseph Nemaisa had to be called and confirmed that the two were never assaulted and that they admitted to the charges without undue influence.

The State, however, informed the court of its intentions to call the magistrate, prosecutor and interpreter for court six who confirmed the statements when Maliselo and Nyakwima initially appeared in court for extra-curial statements.

The matter was deferred to June 6 when the court officials are expected to testify.
Maliselo and Nyakwima are in custody.