Ex-Kingston’s boss has case to answer, rules court

Herald Reporters
Former Kingstons Holdings chief executive Brian Sedze, who is facing charges of swindling his employer of more than US$130 000, had his application for discharge dismissed last week. Regional magistrate Mr Rojers Simon Kachambwa ruled that Sedze had a case to answer and would be put on his defence.

“Having gone through the record, submissions by the defence and the response by the State, my ruling is that the State has succeeded in establishing a prima-facie case against the accused in all the counts. He must therefore explain himself in his defence,” he said.

Mr Kachambwa deferred the matter to January 24 for continuation of trial.
Through his lawyer, Mr Tazorora Musarurwa, Sedze applied for discharge at the close of the State’s case.

It is alleged that Kingstons Holdings owed the National Social Security Authority US$43 552,54 for non-payment of statutory obligations. NSSA obtained a High Court judgment against Kingston’s to attach its property.

Sedze allegedly misrepresented to Kingstons Holdings that Rachet Investments was willing to lend US$31 000 to go towards servicing the NSSA debt.

Afterwards Sedze allegedly claimed US$25 362 from Kingdom Holdings, saying the money would cover legal fees and interest charged on the loan advanced by the purported financiers.

Meanwhile, Kingstons’ property worth more than US$36 000 has been attached by the Deputy Sheriff for non-payment to suppliers.
The property was attached after Gramma Records (Pvt) Ltd successfully applied to the High Court to recover payment for DVDs, CDs and cassettes it supplied what was once one of the largest stationery retail chains in the country.

Kingstons Holdings was between 2010 and last year supplied with the DVDs, CDs and cassettes to sell but did not remit the proceeds to Gramma Records.

According to a notice by the Deputy Sheriff, the property attached and set to be auctioned includes a desktop computer, sofas, tables, book shelves, filing cabinets, chairs, glass tables, fan, and three design statues among others.

Gramma Records is represented by Mr Davison Kanokanga of Kanokanga and Partners. On July 12 last year, Kingstons Holdings signed an acknowledgement of debt of US$36 519,17.

The money was supposed to be deposited in Kanokanga and Partners’ trust account but this did not happen. This prompted Gramma Records to approach the High Court for relief.

The Sheriff was ordered to attach movable property on December 16 last year.