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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
FORMER Star FM programmes manager Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo accused of defrauding the company of over US$125 000 after diverting its advertising revenue to two companies he had interests in, appeared in court yesterday. Popularly known as Tich Mataz, Matambanadzo allegedly misrepresented to clients that Star FM did not have capacity to produce certain programmes before introducing himself as the company’s agent through Hamtec and Onesay Investments.
It is alleged he would create fraudulent letters using Star FM letterheads purporting that the company had offered contracts to the said two companies to advertise on its behalf.
Matambanadzo yesterday appeared before Ms Anita Tshuma charged with fraud involving US$126 947.
He was remanded to September 3 on US$150 bail coupled with some conditions.
As part of the bail conditions, Matambanadzo was ordered to report once every fortnight at CID serious frauds, to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses until the matter is finalised.
He was represented by Mr Wellington Pasipanodya and Mr Tinashe Tanyanyiwa of Manase and Manase legal practitioners.
Appearing for the State, Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that during the period extending from June 25 last year to May 15 this year, Matambanadzo hatched a plan to defraud Star FM.
He allegedly misrepresented to clients that Star FM did not have the capacity to produce certain programmes before indicating that he was the company’s agent through Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies.
Matambanadzo, the court heard, created fraudulent letters using Star FM letterheads purporting that the company had offered contracts to Hamtec and Onesay Investments companies to advertise on its behalf.
Due to the misrepresentation, Copac, ZEC, the European Union, American Embassy, Ster Kinekor and OK Zimbabwe, approached the two companies and placed their advertisements which were later produced and advertised by Star FM. According to the State, Star FM was also prejudiced after it entered into barter deals with Goldtech and Cellone Electronics.
It is alleged Star FM would provide radio airtime for the two companies in exchange of electrical gadgets such as laptops and cellphones.
It is the State’s case that Matambanadzo received the electrical gadgets worth US$21 807 45 on behalf of the company and allegedly converted them to his own use.
Matambanadzo, the State alleges, entered into another deal on behalf of Star FM where he acquired clothing for members of staff from a company called Status-Quo in exchange for radio airtime worth US$4 800.
It is alleged the airtime was to cover for the period from December last year to January this year.
Matambanadzo allegedly converted airtime worth US$1 106 in the form of cash to his personal use.
The matter came to light following an internal audit.
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