Vermeulen deal with prosecutors imminent

Vermeulen deal with prosecutors imminent

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By Nkanyiso Moyo

FORMER Zimbabwe Test batsman Mark Vermeulen, on trial for arson, is in negotiations for an out of court settlement after promising to pay for damage caused by a fire he started at the Cricket Academy in Harare.

A hearing had been set for Wednesday, but the trial was postponed indefinitely pending the outcome of negotiations between Vermeulen, the prosecution team and Zimbabwe Cricket.

The player's lawyer, Advocate Eric Matinenga said: “The case was supposed to be heard (on Wednesday), but nothing happened because there are some negotiations taking place between us, the state and other people.

“Maybe within two weeks there will be something out of this."

Vermeulen is accused of burning down the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and trying to set the union’s boardroom on fire.

The player has admitted committing the crime but pleaded not guilty on grounds of mental instability. Doctors who examined the player diagnosed that he suffered from clinical “temporal lobe epilepsy”.

Under Section 32 of the Mental Health Act, the Attorney-General’s Office retains judgment if the accused has been certified mentally ill.

Zimbabwe Cricket lawyer Wilson Manase last month said they would accept Vermeulen’s offer to repair the damages unconditionally, but still wanted “justice to prevail”.

Manase, through ZC spokesman Lovemore Banda, confirmed Friday that negotiations were still taking place and the union had not changed its stance.

In September last year, Vermeulen was banned in England for 10 years after throwing a ball at spectators during a league match in Central Lancashire. The ban was reduced to three years on appeal.

In 1996, Vermeulen was banned from representing his school Prince Edward for uprooting his stumps after getting a poor lbw decision.

He was also sent back from Zimbabwe’s tour of England in 2003 for misconduct.

Vermeulen has played eight Test matches for Zimbabwe, his last coming in 2004.
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