HARARE - Former Kingstons boss, Brian Sedze, has told the court that he should have been the complainant in a case in which he is facing 35 counts of fraud for allegedly pocketing money owed to National Social Security Authority (Nssa).
During the continuation of the trial Sedze told the court that he was supposed to be the complainant while Kingstons board of directors were supposed to be the accused because the company was technically insolvent when they entered into the agreement.
He argued that the board of directors should not have entered into an agreement with Ratchet and RIV at the time.
Trial in the matter began in March last year and the State has since closed its case, while Sedze is now giving evidence in his defence.
The 35 counts of fraud against Sedze arose during a period preceding February 2011. It is alleged that Kingstons owed National Social Security Authority (Nssa) $43 552, 54 for non-payment of statutory obligations.
The State alleges that in February 2011, Nssa obtained an execution order at the High Court against Kingstons for settlement of the said debt.
Sedze allegedly misrepresented to Kingstons officials that he had secured a financier called Rachet Investments, willing to lend the company $31 000 to service the Nssa debt.
The state alleges that Sedze submitted on different occasions contrived electronic transfer copies with a combined figure of $48 000 purporting to be Rachet Investments’ payments to Nssa.
He allegedly claimed $25 362 from Kingstons saying the money would cover legal fees and interest charged on the loan advanced by the purported financiers.
He allegedly converted the money to his own use.