THE three Air Zimbabwe bosses accused of swindling the airline of ₤5 175 593 and over $2 million yesterday appeared before provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe who remanded them in custody to Monday. BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
The trio of Peter Chikumba (59), Grace Pfumbidzai (49) and Innocent Mavhunga (59) were arrested on separate occasions this week over charges of criminal abuse of office and fraud.
According to State papers, Chikumba, who was being represented by Admire Rubaya, is former AirZim chief executive officer and currently holds the same position at the Celebration Centre in Harare.
Pfumbidzai and Mavhunga, both on suspension, were the airline’s company secretary and acting group CEO respectively.
The three accused persons appeared on two separate court records where Chikumba is jointly charged with Pfumbidzai, who is also charged on another court record alongside Mavhunga.
Allegations against Chikumba and Pfumbidzai, who is being represented by Andrew Muvirimi, are that sometime in 2013, the AirZim board of directors chaired by Ozias Bvute queried the amount of money paid to Navistar Insurance Brokers by the airline in respect of aviation insurance premiums for the period between April 2009 and April last year.
The query prompted the board to appoint BCA Forensic Audit who conducted an audit and established that on March 18, 2009, Chikumba and Pfumbidzai allegedly corruptly abused their duty as public officers by appointing Navistar Insurance Brokers to provide aviation insurance cover without going to tender and terminated the services of the existing insurer who was providing the same service.
The State further alleged on March 20, 2009, Chikumba and Pfumbidzai allegedly connived with their colleagues, still at large, being directors of Navistar Insurance Brokers Givemore Nderere, Vukile Hlupo, and Orten Mawire, to defraud the airline by inflating aviation insurance premiums.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
In a different case, Mavhunga is alleged to have connived with Pfumbidzai and directors of Navistar whereupon they misrepresented to the airline that the two A320 Airbuses in the fleet were not insured and there was need to insure them. As a result and pursuant to their plans, they allegedly originated four fictitious debit notes in the sum of $1 659 276 and $360 448 purportedly to be paid for aviation premiums.
Mavhunga is being represented by Ticharwa Garabga while the State is represented by Michael Reza.
