News / National
Muchechetere charges altered
24 Jun 2014 at 16:47hrs | Views
Suspended ZBC Group CEO Happison Muchechetere has been granted more time by a Harare magistrate to secure evidence from abroad to bolster his defence case.
Muchechetere (63) who now faces charges of violating the Procurement Act chapter 22:14 as read with Sections 5 Subsection 4 and 35 of the Procurement Regulations following an alteration of the initial charge of fraud is represented by Keith Kachambwa from Dube, Manikai and Hwacha.
His lawyer Keith Kachambwa pleaded with Regional Magistrate Hosea Mujaya for his client to secure more evidence from China were the outside broadcast van was purchased, with state prosecutor Beven Murevanhema strongly opposing the postponement accusing the defence of time wasting antics.
After hearing both sides' arguments, Mr Mujaya granted the postponement after the state and defence counsels who were haggling over ambushing agreed for the trial to commence on the 9th of July.
According to the altered charge, Muchechetere as the accounting officer for the national broadcaster, unlawfully purchased an outside broadcasting audio van from China National Instruments Imports and Exports Corporation at a price of US$1 050 000 without going through formal tender in January last year.
It is further alleged that on the 28th of June, Muchechetere single handedly concluded the purchase deal as evidenced by a commercial invoice to the tune of $1 050 000 resulting in the delivery of the van in August the same year.
His lawyer also indicated to the court that he will be filing an application for exception to the charge on the basis that it does not disclose an offence committed by his client as ZBC is not a procuring entity.
Muchechetere (63) who now faces charges of violating the Procurement Act chapter 22:14 as read with Sections 5 Subsection 4 and 35 of the Procurement Regulations following an alteration of the initial charge of fraud is represented by Keith Kachambwa from Dube, Manikai and Hwacha.
His lawyer Keith Kachambwa pleaded with Regional Magistrate Hosea Mujaya for his client to secure more evidence from China were the outside broadcast van was purchased, with state prosecutor Beven Murevanhema strongly opposing the postponement accusing the defence of time wasting antics.
According to the altered charge, Muchechetere as the accounting officer for the national broadcaster, unlawfully purchased an outside broadcasting audio van from China National Instruments Imports and Exports Corporation at a price of US$1 050 000 without going through formal tender in January last year.
It is further alleged that on the 28th of June, Muchechetere single handedly concluded the purchase deal as evidenced by a commercial invoice to the tune of $1 050 000 resulting in the delivery of the van in August the same year.
His lawyer also indicated to the court that he will be filing an application for exception to the charge on the basis that it does not disclose an offence committed by his client as ZBC is not a procuring entity.
Source - zbc
