AN external auditor who audited Air Zimbabwe’s accounts told Harare regional magistrate Fadzayi Mtombeni on Monday that he was not aware whether or not there was a board resolution to approve his appointment saying he was just following a verbal contract by the Jonathan Kadzura-led board. PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI SENIOR REPORTER
BCA Forensic Audit Services chief forensic investigator Budhama Chikamhi made the remarks during the trial of former AirZim chief executive officer Peter Chikumba and company secretary Grace Pfumbidzayi on charges of criminal abuse of office and contravening the parastatal’s procurement regulations.
Chikamhi said he could not dispute the duo’s defence lawyer Admire Rubaya assertions regarding his contract.
“I am not aware if there was a board resolution to appoint me,” he said.
He said he did work for Air Zimbabwe Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd and considered Air Zimbabwe Ltd and Air Zimbabwe Corporation as the same company wholly owned by the government.
He, however, stressed that he did not indicate this information on his statement to the police because he felt it was not necessary.
He admitted that two letters written to Air Zimbabwe Holdings and Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd by his company had no confirmation signatures.
Chikamhi said he did not look for the directors to sign the letters because he had the impression that the tenure of the board chaired by Kadzura had expired.
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He said he was not aware of how the new board that succeeded the one that was led by Kadzura was instituted.
Chikamhi said he then gave the letter to the new board chair who did not sign it up to the time his tenure expired.
The State alleges that on March 18 2009, Chikumba (59) and Pfumbidzayi (49) connived to unilaterally terminate the services of Marsh Insurance Brokers and appointed Navistar without going to tender in contravention of the Procurement Act and neither did they notify other companies in the same business.
Further allegations are that Navistar acknowledged their appointment through a letter dated March 20 2009 addressed to Chikumba who is said to have forwarded it to Pfumbidzayi for action.
A week letter, Pfumbidzayi allegedly originated an open letter confirming the termination of the contract with Marsh and the appointment of Navistar.
