Ex-ZBC bosses’ trial date set

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent

Harare provincial magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya yesterday set March 25 as the trial date for former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chief executive officer Patrick Mavhura; former head of finance, administration and human resources Benania Shumba and the State-owned broadcaster’s former human resources manager Stephen Kundishora.

The three are facing charges of duping the national broadcaster of, among other things, a Mazda BT50 which they gave to Shumba at a book value of zero dollars, instead of more than US$11 000.

The crime came to light when a new executive took over.

They are out on $1 500 bail each, coupled with stringent conditions which include reporting twice to the police.

They must also not interfere with State witnesses.

The State’s case is that on 17 August last year, Shumba wrote to Mavhura requesting to be allowed to buy the vehicle she had been issued by ZBC during her tenure.

Mavhura allegedly approved that she be allowed to buy the Mazda truck at zero cost, instead of US$11,000.

The State further says Mavhura, Shumba and Kundishora then wrote to the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) authorising that the vehicle’s ownership be transferred to Shumba.