‘So every crime in town, it’s me?’

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
It never rains but pours for former Kingstons Holdings chief executive Brian Sedze who was last week arrested while leaving the Harare Magistrates’ Court on fresh charges involving fuel coupons theft.
Sedze had come to court for ruling in the case in which he is facing US$130 000 fraud charges following his application for discharge at the close of the State’s case.

However, he was whisked away by police detectives immediately after leaving court Number 14 with indications that he would be charged with stealing Redan Petroleum fuel coupons.

Sedze was heard pleading with the police officers to let him go on the basis that he was innocent.
“Amana ndisiyeyiwo, makungoti chese chaitika mutown ndini here,” (Please let me go, you are now blaming me for everything that happens in this town),” he said as the police officers led him away.

On the US$130 000 fraud case, Harare regional magistrate Mr Simon Rogers Kachambwa could not pass ruling after he indicated that he was yet to see the State’s response, although prosecutor Mr Michael Reza had told the court that he filed those papers on December 13.
Mr Kachambwa deferred ruling to January 6 next year.

The 35 counts of fraud against Sedze arose when 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 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.