Below are arguments being presented by lawyers representing Tendai Biti.

Mitigating factors being presented by Mr Muchadehama. @BitiTendai is a father of four, a parliamentarian, senior member of the legal profession with 27 years experience, He is currently paying school fees for 20 children.

His contribution to legal reform cannot go unmentioned. He makes a valuable contribution to allieviating unemployment. He employes 5 lawyers at his firm and 15 support staff. He runs a piggery project that employs at least 15 people.

He is a legal scholar , who lectures part time at Cornell University.(Makwanyane Institute) He is a fellow for the Centre for Global Development.

The offence is not a serious offence as it attracts a level 5 fine. The court must make an imposition of a fine upto level 5. The offence is more texhinical and serves as a prevantative measurw but provides an exception under subsection (3).

Imprisonment is a rigorous form of punishment which must be considered as a last resort. S v Matsaura; S v Magwana; S v Shariwa; S v Never Moyo;