News / National
Tich Mataz trial set for Wednesday
05 Oct 2013 at 02:12hrs | Views
Former Star FM programmes manager Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo, accused of defrauding the company of over $125 000 after diverting its advertising revenue to two companies that he had interests in, will stand trial on October 9.
Matambanadzo recently had an outstanding warrant of arrest cancelled after he failed to turn up in court for his routine remand on Tuesday.
His lawyer Mr Dumisani Mthombeni last Tuesday notified the court that if the State fails to give him a trial date, he would make an application for refusal of further remand.
Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira then made an undertaking that the State would provide him with a trial date. Matambanadzo is out of custody on $150 bail.
Part of his bail conditions include reporting once every fortnight at CID serious frauds, to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses until the matter is finalised.
It is the State's case that during the period extending from June 25 last year to May 15 this year, Matambanadzo hatched a plan to defraud Star FM.
He allegedly misrepresented to clients that Star FM did not have the capacity to produce certain programmes before indicating that he was the company's agent through Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies.
Matambanadzo, the court heard, created fraudulent letters using Star FM letterheads purporting that the company had offered contracts to Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies to advertise on its behalf.
Due to the misrepresentation, Copac, ZEC, the European Union, American Embassy, SterKinekor and OK Zimbabwe approached the two companies and placed their advertisements which were later produced and advertised by Star FM.
Star FM, the court heard, was also prejudiced after it entered into barter deals with Goldtech and CellOne Electronics.
Star FM would provide radio airtime for the companies in exchange for electrical gadgets such as laptops and cellphones, and he allegedly got $21 807 45 worth.
Matambanadzo recently had an outstanding warrant of arrest cancelled after he failed to turn up in court for his routine remand on Tuesday.
His lawyer Mr Dumisani Mthombeni last Tuesday notified the court that if the State fails to give him a trial date, he would make an application for refusal of further remand.
Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira then made an undertaking that the State would provide him with a trial date. Matambanadzo is out of custody on $150 bail.
Part of his bail conditions include reporting once every fortnight at CID serious frauds, to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses until the matter is finalised.
He allegedly misrepresented to clients that Star FM did not have the capacity to produce certain programmes before indicating that he was the company's agent through Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies.
Matambanadzo, the court heard, created fraudulent letters using Star FM letterheads purporting that the company had offered contracts to Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies to advertise on its behalf.
Due to the misrepresentation, Copac, ZEC, the European Union, American Embassy, SterKinekor and OK Zimbabwe approached the two companies and placed their advertisements which were later produced and advertised by Star FM.
Star FM, the court heard, was also prejudiced after it entered into barter deals with Goldtech and CellOne Electronics.
Star FM would provide radio airtime for the companies in exchange for electrical gadgets such as laptops and cellphones, and he allegedly got $21 807 45 worth.
Source - herald
