News / National
Tich Mataz removed from remand
03 Dec 2013 at 21:21hrs | Views
Former Star FM programmes manager Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo, who is accused of defrauding the radio station of over $125 000, has been removed from remand after his lawyer successfully applied for refusal of further remand.
Matambanadzo, through his lawyer Mr Obert Mawadza, made the application after prosecutor Ms Ressy Nyamombe sought for a postponement of the case, which was due for trial.
Ms Nyamombe said she needed time to secure the attendance of the witnesses, adding that one of them, Mr Cloudious Garwi, was on his way to court.
But Mr Mawadza said that the State was not ready to proceed to trial before making the application.
After hearing submissions from both parties magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu ruled in favour of Matambanadzo.
She said the court could not wait for witnesses and ordered the State to proceed by way of summons.
It is alleged Matambanadzo diverted Star FM's advertising revenue to two companies that he had interests in.
It is the State's case that during the period extending from June 25 last year to May 15 this year, Matambanadzo hatched the 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.
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, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the European Union, American Embassy, Ster Kinekor 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 through Matambanadzo.
Star FM would provide radio airtime for the companies in exchange for electrical gadgets such as laptops, I pads and cellphones all worth more than $21 000 which went to Matambanadzo.
Matambanadzo, through his lawyer Mr Obert Mawadza, made the application after prosecutor Ms Ressy Nyamombe sought for a postponement of the case, which was due for trial.
Ms Nyamombe said she needed time to secure the attendance of the witnesses, adding that one of them, Mr Cloudious Garwi, was on his way to court.
But Mr Mawadza said that the State was not ready to proceed to trial before making the application.
After hearing submissions from both parties magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu ruled in favour of Matambanadzo.
She said the court could not wait for witnesses and ordered the State to proceed by way of summons.
It is alleged Matambanadzo diverted Star FM's advertising revenue to two companies that he had interests in.
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.
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, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the European Union, American Embassy, Ster Kinekor 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 through Matambanadzo.
Star FM would provide radio airtime for the companies in exchange for electrical gadgets such as laptops, I pads and cellphones all worth more than $21 000 which went to Matambanadzo.
Source - herald
