THE trial of former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation Chief Executive Officer Mr. Patrick Mavhura, former Head Finance, Administration and Human Resources, Benania Shumba together With former Human resources Manager, Stephen Kundishora failed to kick off after the state postponed the matter to the 20th of this month.
The trio is being charged on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
It is alleged that sometime in August 2018, Mavhura together with Shumba using their influential positions directed Stephen Kundishora to write a letter to Central Vehicle Registry to facilitate a change in ownership of ZBC vehicle, a Mazda BT50 into Shumba’s name.
It is alleged that Shumba claimed that the vehicle in question was supposed to be disposed to her name at zero book value.
The trio worked in unison leading to Shumba purchasing her personal issued car at net book value of zero without having a board of survey set up to achieve a maximum financial return for the disposal of the ZBC vehicle. The motor vehicle is valued 11 000 US Dollars.
Postponing the matter the state represented by Mr. George Manokore told the court that there was a policy document that relates to how motor vehicles are disposed of which is yet to be submitted.
Through their defence counsel, the trio opposed the request for postponement sighting that it’s been long with the state making undertakings that the trial was going to start.
In his ruling, the Magistrate ruled that it would not lose sight of the fact that some part of the period was under the COVID -19 pandemic as such it is reluctant to be quick on removing accused persons from remand.
The trio will be back in court on the 20th of this month for the commencement of trial.
In another court case, the judgment of flamboyant businessman Genius Kadungure has been reserved to the 10th of this month after the Magistrate dealing with the matter is on another assignment.
Kadungure is facing two counts, one for allegedly smuggling more than five million kilograms of gas into the country and of failing to submit tax returns to the tax collector in which he exonerated himself in his last court appearance last month.