Former Kingstons boss to apply for discharge

Senior Court Reporter
Former Kingstons Holdings chief executive Brian Sedze, who is facing charges of swindling his employer of more than US$130 000, has notified the court of his intentions to apply for discharge at the close of the State’s case.Through his lawyer Mr Tazorora Musarurwa , Sedze said he would have his written submissions filed by December 10 to support his application.

Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza will file his response on December 13 and the ruling on whether Sedze should be put to his defence or not has been set for December 20.

The State closed its case after calling seven witnesses and Mr Reza told the court that the evidence he led established a case against Sedze.
But Mr Musarurwa argued that there was no evidence before the court to warrant placing his client on his defence.
Charges against Sedze arose when Kingstons Holdings owed the National Social Security Authority a total of US$43 552,54 for non-payment of statutory obligations.

NSSA obtained a High Court judgement against Kingstons to attach its property.
Sedze allegedly misrepresented to Kingstons Holdings that he had secured a financier to rescue them.
He misrepresented that Rachet Investments was willing to lend US$31 000 to service 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.
He allegedly converted the money to his own use.