News / International
British cops looking for Eric Knight for allegedly forging Ezra's signature
07 Mar 2013 at 03:33hrs | Views
SELF-EXILED disc jockey and MDC-T aspiring legislator for Mbare, Eric Knight, is on the British police wanted list for allegedly forging his business partner Mr Ezra Sibanda's signature to withdraw money from a bank account belonging to their Visions Radio, the Chronicle reported.
A spokesperson of the Greater Manchester Police Stefan Jarmolowicz yesterday confirmed the matter recorded under case number 011996R/13.
"I can confirm this allegation was reported to Greater Manchester Police on 19 January 2013 and referred to cheques being fraudulently cashed on a joint business account," said the police spokesperson.
"I am not at liberty to divulge the identity of the victim as this is not something we, as a force, give out routinely. If the victim contacts you personally that is their prerogative, but we do not reveal victim details."
However, Knight yesterday professed ignorance of the case, quickly dismissing the matter as Zanu-PF's attempt to soil his name.
"Wow . . . another ZPF (Zanu-PF) attempt. I am in the UK bro (brother) and if ever there is a case like that then the so-called British Police know where I live. Go ahead and write as per your bosses' wishes," said Knight in e-mailed responses.
However, media reports said Knight was recently spotted in Mbare, Harare, a constituency he is said to be interested in representing in Parliament on an MDC-T ticket.
Knight is alleged to have withdrawn more than 3 000 pounds sterling sometime in September last year from their business' bank account.
It is understood this has soured relations between the two former ZBC disc jockeys, who are both said to be contemplating contesting in the forthcoming elections on MDC-T tickets.
In one of the e-mails that Sibanda reportedly sent to Knight on November 30, 2012, he accused the former of betraying him.
"After years of knowing you, having trusted and taken you as my blood brother, you have betrayed my trust and let me down big time," said Sibanda.
"Of all the people, I never expected you would be so evil to me. You forged my signature to withdraw money on Visions Radio HSBC account. You had the audacity to forge my signature, someone you claim to be your best friend, take money for your own use and cared less how I would feel."
Mr Sibanda gave Knight time to pay back the money, failure of which he would report the case to the police.
"I need you to urgently contact me and tell me what the way forward is. I need that money back in our account by Monday (last week), failure to do so I have no choice but to pursue further legal remedies.
"You are a family man, supposedly a Christian and well known and respectable person. Sadly people don't know you are a fraudster. I don't want to put you in trouble, you know the consequences for this thing going public.
"You want your mother and your family to say I put you in prison, how do I tell people all this dishonesty of yours. I am giving you a chance and I need you to do the right thing now before I act. This is not a threat, it's reality and if you don't want to come back to me within 48 hours I have no choice, I will go back to the bank and police will be called in," wrote Mr Sibanda.
He said he tried to use Knight's girlfriend, one Yvonne, to help locate him but without success.
In one of the e-mails that Knight allegedly wrote to Mr Sibanda on 1 February, 2013, he appeared to own up to the fraud.
Reads the e-mail; "Ndoda I am aware of the texts you are writing and for the third time I apologise that money matters didn't go exactly as we had planned. I had made a mutual agreement with Yvonne and unfortunately she also had an underpayment at work after being absent for weeks due to sickness in December.
"May I let you know also that it's not like she is paying for me. I am replacing every penny she has ever given me I just thank God that she trusts me that I always pay back her money.
"Please understand. What kind of replies did you expect from me when all you are telling me is your plans to report me and destroy me. Akula ndaba ndoda ngakuphambanisela but impilo iyantshintsha mntaka mama (It doesn't matter man, I wronged you but life is dynamic or changes my brother). One day I will have lots of money even to give you without expecting any return," said Knight.
He said he was failing to pay back the money because he was broke.
"It's just a passing phase, imali (money) comes and disappears at exactly the same speed. Tomorrow will not be the same with today believe me. Ngangi (I was) silent yes ngoba angikwanisi ukuphendula amatexts (I cannot respond to texts) fuelled by anger ndoda (man) I just can't."
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Sibanda, who is based in the United Kingdom, were fruitless yesterday.
Knight and Mr Sibanda rose to fame at Radio Zimbabwe, formerly Radio Two, and they used to co-present some programmes. Mr Sibanda was based in Bulawayo while Knight was in Harare.
The two are said to be eyeing parliamentary seats in the forthcoming elections under the MDC-T, with Knight reportedly eyeing Mbare constituency while Mr Sibanda is said to be interested in contesting in Lower Gweru in the Midlands province.
A spokesperson of the Greater Manchester Police Stefan Jarmolowicz yesterday confirmed the matter recorded under case number 011996R/13.
"I can confirm this allegation was reported to Greater Manchester Police on 19 January 2013 and referred to cheques being fraudulently cashed on a joint business account," said the police spokesperson.
"I am not at liberty to divulge the identity of the victim as this is not something we, as a force, give out routinely. If the victim contacts you personally that is their prerogative, but we do not reveal victim details."
However, Knight yesterday professed ignorance of the case, quickly dismissing the matter as Zanu-PF's attempt to soil his name.
"Wow . . . another ZPF (Zanu-PF) attempt. I am in the UK bro (brother) and if ever there is a case like that then the so-called British Police know where I live. Go ahead and write as per your bosses' wishes," said Knight in e-mailed responses.
However, media reports said Knight was recently spotted in Mbare, Harare, a constituency he is said to be interested in representing in Parliament on an MDC-T ticket.
Knight is alleged to have withdrawn more than 3 000 pounds sterling sometime in September last year from their business' bank account.
It is understood this has soured relations between the two former ZBC disc jockeys, who are both said to be contemplating contesting in the forthcoming elections on MDC-T tickets.
In one of the e-mails that Sibanda reportedly sent to Knight on November 30, 2012, he accused the former of betraying him.
"After years of knowing you, having trusted and taken you as my blood brother, you have betrayed my trust and let me down big time," said Sibanda.
"Of all the people, I never expected you would be so evil to me. You forged my signature to withdraw money on Visions Radio HSBC account. You had the audacity to forge my signature, someone you claim to be your best friend, take money for your own use and cared less how I would feel."
Mr Sibanda gave Knight time to pay back the money, failure of which he would report the case to the police.
"You are a family man, supposedly a Christian and well known and respectable person. Sadly people don't know you are a fraudster. I don't want to put you in trouble, you know the consequences for this thing going public.
"You want your mother and your family to say I put you in prison, how do I tell people all this dishonesty of yours. I am giving you a chance and I need you to do the right thing now before I act. This is not a threat, it's reality and if you don't want to come back to me within 48 hours I have no choice, I will go back to the bank and police will be called in," wrote Mr Sibanda.
He said he tried to use Knight's girlfriend, one Yvonne, to help locate him but without success.
In one of the e-mails that Knight allegedly wrote to Mr Sibanda on 1 February, 2013, he appeared to own up to the fraud.
Reads the e-mail; "Ndoda I am aware of the texts you are writing and for the third time I apologise that money matters didn't go exactly as we had planned. I had made a mutual agreement with Yvonne and unfortunately she also had an underpayment at work after being absent for weeks due to sickness in December.
"May I let you know also that it's not like she is paying for me. I am replacing every penny she has ever given me I just thank God that she trusts me that I always pay back her money.
"Please understand. What kind of replies did you expect from me when all you are telling me is your plans to report me and destroy me. Akula ndaba ndoda ngakuphambanisela but impilo iyantshintsha mntaka mama (It doesn't matter man, I wronged you but life is dynamic or changes my brother). One day I will have lots of money even to give you without expecting any return," said Knight.
He said he was failing to pay back the money because he was broke.
"It's just a passing phase, imali (money) comes and disappears at exactly the same speed. Tomorrow will not be the same with today believe me. Ngangi (I was) silent yes ngoba angikwanisi ukuphendula amatexts (I cannot respond to texts) fuelled by anger ndoda (man) I just can't."
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Sibanda, who is based in the United Kingdom, were fruitless yesterday.
Knight and Mr Sibanda rose to fame at Radio Zimbabwe, formerly Radio Two, and they used to co-present some programmes. Mr Sibanda was based in Bulawayo while Knight was in Harare.
The two are said to be eyeing parliamentary seats in the forthcoming elections under the MDC-T, with Knight reportedly eyeing Mbare constituency while Mr Sibanda is said to be interested in contesting in Lower Gweru in the Midlands province.
Source - chronicle
