Crash chopper pilot freed again

SOUTH AFRICAN businessman Frederick Wilhelm August Lutzkie yesterday appeared in court facing allegations of threatening a Zanu PF councillor and possessing camouflage wear.

Lutzkie, who is out on bail pending appeal against a seven-year jail sentence imposed on him for violating Zimbabwe’s immigration and aviation laws, appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe facing charges of unlawful possession of camouflage and disorderly conduct in a public place.

Lutzkie, who crash-landed and buried his chopper at Doddieburn Farm in Gwanda, was not asked to plead and was granted free bail, but ordered to continue residing at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses.

He will appear in court on July 3.

In granting Lutzkie free bail, Nazombe said she had taken into consideration the charges being preferred against him.

Lutzkie was arrested on Monday as he left court where he had been expected to testify as a State witness.

Allegations against Lutzkie were that on May 18, detectives from the law and order section were investigating a case of failing to report an aircraft accident at Doddieburn Farm.

During the investigations, the detectives discovered an assortment of camouflage clothing that included trousers, shirts and jackets.

The State further alleged that on June 18, villagers at Doddieburn Farm held a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources meeting where Lutzkie asked to be introduced.

When he got to Zanu PF councillor Mphathiswa Ncube, he allegedly accused him of causing trouble at the farm.

“Yah, Mphathiswa, you are the one causing all this trouble at the farm. You are taking information from the farm and passing it to outsiders. I want to meet you face-to-face in private and l will fix you,” Lutzkie allegedly said.

Getrude Zvidzai prosecuted while Vonani Majoko represented Lutzkie.