US$38 000 fraud trial continues
THE trial of Michael Smith, who allegedly defrauded MA Auto Suppliers, trading as Mr Cruiser of at least US$38 000 and R124 000, continued yesterday with the State leading another witness, a mechanic.
Smith yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Ethel Chichera and is facing two counts of theft of trust property, 12 counts of fraud and 25 counts of corruptly concealing transactions from business owner, Mr Michael Scott Asher.
Prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje is alleging that Smith failed to disclose to Mr Asher that their company was paying its South African suppliers through a third party, Mant Procurement (Pvt) Ltd.
Mant procurement was allegedly masterminded by Smith, purely to inflate costs with the excess amounts shared with his accomplice Tony Oatley.
Yesterday, prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje led evidence from Mr Joseph Kuvamudiki.
He told the court that on September 13, 2021 he was on duty and was assigned to work on a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series vehicle, registration number ABP7841, which belonged to Smith. The vehicle needed major service, including fixing the air conditioning system and airbag light and he did the work using parts and spares drawn from the company’s stores.
He further told the court that again on December 15, 2021 he was assigned to service a Toyota Runx registration number AEJ2125 belonging to Rachel Smith.
On 4 May 2022 Kuvamudiki performed a full service to the same vehicle using parts and spares from the company’s stores.
In the previous court sitting the State led as witnesses workshop foreman Leejon Thomas, head mechanic Stanley Mangondolo and salesperson Abigail Nyandoro, all staff of MA Auto Suppliers.
They all gave account of the tasks they were made to do by Smith who is their former boss.