BUSINESSMAN Farai Jere and his company will know their fate on October 31 in a court case they are accused of swindling the Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC) of over US$3 million in a smart meter deal.
The Premier Soccer League and CAPS United boss is on trial together with his company Helcraw Electrical and two ZETDC employees, Leonard Chisina and Freeman Chikonzo over the matter.
Yesterday, the prosecution closed its case by calling its two last witnesses including the investigating officer assistant commissioner, Temba Mushoriwa.
The defence indicated that they will be applying for discharge and will be filing the application next Friday while the prosecution will respond by October 8 and after that, the court will give a ruling on October 13.
Allegations are that Helcraw through Jere misrepresented to ZETDC that Secure Meters Pvt Ltd had a manufacturing plant for smart meters and had a head end system in the United Kingdom yet there was none.
Claims are that on November 24, 2018, three engineers Mapipi, Tshuma and Chisina all from ZETDC and Chikonzo travelled with Jere to the UK to carry out a factory acceptance test (FAT). Claims are that on November 24, 2018, three engineers Mapipi, Tshuma and Chisina all from ZETDC and Chikonzo travelled with Jere to the UK to carry out a factory acceptance test (FAT).
It is alleged that while in the UK, Jere took the engineers to a warehouse with smart meters and not a factory.
Reports are that Chisina and Chikonzo signed the false FAT report while Mapipi and Tshuma expressed reservations as no test had been done.
Claims are that upon return to the country, Mapipi and Tshuma were removed from the project by Chisina.
Reports are that Jere then made a shipment of 1 151 smart meters which were delivered to ZETDC and they paid $US3 566 878.02.
In their defence, the three argued that a proper FAT was conducted and the meters supplied are still working.
They also argued that the supplied meters are currently working properly and that if there were defects, they could have cancelled the agreement.
In their defence, Jere and his co-accused argued that a proper FAT was conducted and the meters supplied are still working and that if there were defects, they could have cancelled the agreement.
“No complaints were raised upon delivery and within the defects notification period. The goods provided have performed well and continue to perform well and constitute value for money.
“That they all, or one or more of them, deny that they misrepresented that they had done a complete Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). They all and each contend that a complete FAT was undertaken.
“That they caused any prejudice whatsoever, whether as alleged or at all, to the good administration of ZETDC’s administration and procurement process.
“That they caused any financial prejudice whatsoever, whether as alleged or at all, to ZETDC,” they argued.
It is also Jere and his company’s argument that the contract was won on merit.