A BULAWAYO businessman has appeared in court for discharging a firearm in a public place for no apparent reason.

Job Mushunje- popularly known as ‘Cash only’ due to his penchant for paying cash for everything- and is the owner of Foundation Engineering and Sales (Pvt) Ltd in Thorngrove appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure who remanded him out of custody on free bail to October 22.

He was not asked to plead as he failed to talk and looked traumatised in the dock.

Mushunje resides in Northend suburb.

He is being charged with knowingly and without lawful cause discharging a fire arm in a public place.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said: “On September 23 at around 3:30PM Mushunje in the company of three unnamed companions at Thorngrove produced his pistol loaded with one round and fired in the air once.”

“Mushunje apologised to his friends for shooting when they approached him saying he didn’t know the gun was loaded,” said Mr Dlodlo.

The court heard Mushunje took his pistol from his waist and fired a single shot into the air through his car window and later apologised for his actions, although threatening to fire more shots.

“The gun was for protecting his company money,” said Mr Dlodlo.

The court heard Mushunje drew the ire of his companions who disarmed and reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest.