Muchechetere trial set for June 29

By Tarisai Machakaire

Ex-Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) chief executive Happison Muchechetere’s prosecution for contravening the Procurement Act has been set for June 29, as the presiding magistrate was unavailable for proceedings.

Muchechetere will appear before Harare regional magistrate Aidonia Masawi.

Allegations against Muchechetere arose in January 2013, when he entered into a procurement deal with a Chinese company to purchase an audio outside broadcasting van (OB van) for $1 050 000.

He allegedly entered into the agreement without going to tender.

Muchechetere allegedly misrepresented to the ZBC executive committee in May 2013 that the $495 000, donated by BancABC, was enough to purchase an audio van, a cargo van and a crew bus, and the committee approved the purchase of the items using the said money.

The State alleges that prior to the meeting, Muchechetere did not disclose to the committee that he had already entered into a purchasing deal to the tune of $1 050 000 for only the radio OB van.

According to State papers, Muchechetere flew to China alone where he signed an agreement concerning the inspection of the van which was never carried out by other members of the executive committee.

The OB van was subsequently delivered to Zimbabwe in August 2013 after BancABC released another $100 000 to the Chinese company, the State claims.

The offence came to light after Muchechetere’s suspension in November 2013.

After the suspension, it was discovered that the OB van had a market value of $350 000 contrary to the $1 050 000 that Muchechetere signed for. According to State papers, he prejudiced the national broadcaster of $800 000. Daily News