EX-ZPC chairperson maintains innocence

By Staff reporter | 18 Jul 2019 at 12:05hrs
Wicknell
THE defence trial of former Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) chairperson Stanley Kazhanje continued yesterday with him maintaining his innocence.

Kazhanje is on trial on allegations of receiving a US$10 000 bribe from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo to motivate him not to cancel the 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project which had been awarded to the latter's Intratrek Zimbabwe.

Kazhanje, who is represented by Sylvester Hashiti under the instruction of Garikai Mhishi, told the court that before his appointment to chair the ZPC board, his company Terminal Engineers did work for Intratrek Zimbabwe in a different tender that was later cancelled.

He testified that the work included interaction with ZPC management.

He maintained that he did not conceal his engagement with Intratrek as it was already known to ZPC.

Kazhanje told the court that when the then company secretary Saidi Sangula requested him to declare his interests, he complied.

To prove that ZPC was aware of his dealings with Intratrek, Kazhanje produced as evidence a register a meeting held on April 12, 2014 which was attended by Sangula, ZPC's acting technical and projects director Robson Chikuri and one Mupotsa.

"When I declared interest, no one challenged me or indicated they have a problem with me chairing the meetings.

"It could have been very difficult for me to conceal my previous life.

"Every year, I declared my direct and indirect personal interests in the businesses I was running," Kazhanje said.

He added that his conduct does not reflect any existence of a personal interest in Intratrek's affairs.

This was after it was revealed that he put to task ZPC's management for paying Intratrek US$5 million without the knowledge of the board and without a bank guarantee.

Previously, Sangula and the current ZPC company secretary Nora Tsomondo testified that Kazhanje annually declared his previous dealings with Intratrek.

Trial magistrate Hosea Mujaya rolled over the matter to July 26 for continuation of trial.

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