CAPS United majority shareholder Farai Jere and 2 ZESA employees Leonard Chisina and Freeman Chikonzo were yesterday denied bail by a Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube who said the trio could abscond trial if granted bail, New Zimbabwe reports.
In denying the trio bail, Ncube said:
No doubt that the accused are men of means and are capable of absconding if granted bail,” the magistrate ruled. What weighs against them the most is that there is overwhelming evidence against them and the amount involved is quite substantial. It is the court’s observation that there is overwhelming evidence against the accused as submitted by the state. Surrendering travelling documents does not mean one will not abscond.
It is the prosecutor’s case that:
Jere won a tender to supply ZETDC with 1 151 smart meters and a head-end system at a cost of US$3,566, 878.
However, Jere is alleged to have produced a fake factory acceptance test visit report to the effect that the smart meters and head-end system met ZETDC’s standards.
Chisina and Chikonzo stand accused of signing the fake report
The trio were remanded to 10 September by Ncube.
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