Kingstons takes former boss to court

On the criminal charges he is appearing at the Harare magistrates’ court.

In the High Court civil case filed by Kingstons’ lawyers recently, the company is claiming US$67 554 plus interest.
According to the summons, Sedze allegedly misrepresented to the company and funds were released to him between 2010 and 2012. Between May and August 2010 Sedze is alleged to have instructed his subordinates at Kingstons in writing to withdraw US$10 890 from the firm’s bank account.

The money was handed over to Sedze and he is alleged to have fraudulently converted the cash to his own use to the prejudice of the company.
In 2010 Sedze is alleged to have misrepresented to Kingstons that his child was enrolled at an elite school called Legacy International School where fees amounting to US$1 500 were required.

Sedze requested a refund of US$1 500 after telling the company that he had already paid the child’s fees.
Investigations by Kingstons revealed that none of Sedze’s children attended Legacy International School. In October 2010, Sedze allegedly misrepresented that he had paid US$7 000 as legal costs on behalf of Kingstons in a legal dispute involving First Mutual Life.

The company “reimbursed” him US$7 000 when no payment had been made on behalf of Kingstons. To that end, Kingstons lost US$7 000 as a result of the said misrepresentation.

The same year, Sedze requested for US$1 300 from the company to purchase study material from the University of South Africa where he was studying.
He was paid the money but investigations also revealed that the material in question was never for sale and that it was freely given to the students.

In February 2011, Sedze is said to have misrepresented to the company that he had secured a loan in the sum of US$31 000 from RIV Investments to pay off part of a judgment debt of US$43 552,54 owing to the National Social Security Authority by Kingstons Limited.

Between February and September 2012 Sedze allegedly made misrepresentations that a former employee had obtained a judgment against the company, which he wanted to execute.

In settlement of the dispute, Sedze told the company that he had paid the man US$25 800 when nothing had been done.
Sedze filed his opposition to the suit arguing that all the money claimed from Kingstons was done in the course of business and it was meant to advance the company’s interest and not his own interests.

Sedze says the US$10 890 he claimed was part of his educational allowances. He denied ever requesting for US$1 500 to pay fees at Legacy International School saying all his children were at North Park Primary School at the time in question. He also argues that the US$31 000 loan referred to in the summons was secured by the board of directors and that he did not benefit from the money in question.

The parties are yet to appear before Justice Felistus Chatukuta for a pre-trial conference.