THE Prosecutor-General (PG)’s Office yesterday set June 24 as the trial date for suspended Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere, who is accused of swindling the national broadcaster of over $800 000.
SENIOR COURT REPORTER
The PG’s representative at the Harare Magistrates’ Court Sharon Mashavira told provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe that the State was ready to prosecute Muchechetere (63) on the set date in court number 16.
When the trial kicks off, the State is expected to lead evidence from two witnesses — Samson Mutanhaurwa and Allan Chiweshe, both ZBC employees.
Muchechetere, who is also facing one count of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer and another of contravening Section 35 of the Procurement Act, is on $3 000 bail.
Allegations against Muchechetere are that sometime in January last year, he entered into a procurement deal to purchase an outside broadcasting (OB) van with a Chinese firm called China National Instruments Imports and Exports Corporation without going to tender.
The State alleges Muchechetere “doctored” the price of the OB van to the tune of $1 050 000.
In the same year on April 23, the State alleges he misrepresented to the ZBC executive committee that an amount to the tune of $495 000, which had been donated by BancABC, was enough to purchase an OB van, a cargo van and a crew bus.
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The court heard, acting on the supplied information, the committee went on to approve the purchase of the OB van using the BancABC donation.
But Muchechetere is alleged not to have disclosed his prior deal with the Chinese firm to his employer.
Instead, it is alleged, Muchechetere flew to China where he signed an agreement concerning the inspection of the said OB van.
In the agreement, it is alleged, he stated the inspection had been conducted by ZBC from June 17 to 19, yet this had not been done.
However, preliminary investigations into the procurement of the OB van revealed that the market price for the van did not exceed $350 000 and, as such, Muchechetere prejudiced ZBC of $800 000, leading to his arrest.
Nothing was recovered.
Muchechetere is being represented by Keith Kachambwa and Sylvester Hashiti.
