By Tendai Kamhungira
HARARE – Brian Tarisai Kambasha, who was jailed for three years for duping Airforce of Zimbabwe commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri of more than $50 000 in a botched solar deal has been freed on $1 000 bail.
The 32-year-old businessman, who runs Hemmingworth Cartwright (Private) Limited, was convicted of theft of trust property.
High Court judge Joseph Musakwa yesterday said Kambasha had prospects of success on appeal, before freeing him on bail.
Harare magistrate Milton Serima had sentenced Kambasha to five years in prison before suspending one year on condition of good behaviour.
Another year was suspended on condition that Kambasha compensates Shiri $50 125 by the end of this month.
He was ordered to pay $1 000 fine before the end of this month.
In passing sentence, Serima said Kambasha failed to meet his obligations in terms of the agreement he entered with Shiri.
Allegations against Kambasha arose in April 2013 when he approached Shiri and indicated that he wanted to install the solar plant at Shiri’s farm in Bindura. He indicated that the project had three stages.
Shiri agreed to have the first stage of the project initiated at a total cost of $50 125.
In June of the same year, Shiri and Kambasha agreed that the plant would be mounted within 12 weeks of payment.
Kambasha received the money in three instalments — $20 000, $30 000 and $125.
The court heard that Kambasha only mounted metal stands for the plant and converted the balance to his own use.
Shiri then approached Kambasha after 12 weeks had lapsed, but he gave numerous excuses after failing to install the plant. He failed to reimburse the money, prompting the army commander to file a police report. Daily News
