The defense of embattled former MA Auto Suppliers employee, Michael Gordon Smith, faced a rigorous test this week as the State’s cross-examination exposed deep inconsistencies in his testimony.
Smith is currently standing trial before Harare Magistrate Ethel Chichera, facing a litany of charges including theft of trust property, fraud, and corruptly concealing transactions from a principal. The State alleges that Smith defrauded the automotive supplier of at least US$38,000 and R124,000.
The Vanishing US$10,000 Loan
A central pillar of the prosecution’s case involves a US$10,000 loan received from a lender. Under questioning from State Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, Smith initially denied receiving the loan personally, claiming the funds were channeled to the company through an intermediary, Mr. Madzinga Mukoto.
However, the defense took a hit when Smith admitted he had been managing this loan outside the company’s official financial records.
“Do confirm that even up to today you have not yet provided the court or the state with information of how the 10,000 United States dollars loan that was given to you was accounted for,” Chirenje pressed.
In a startling admission, Smith conceded that he bypassed the finance department, contradicting his own earlier defense outline which stated that all company funds were strictly handled by the finance manager, Mrs. Christine Vella.
Missing Spreadsheets and ‘Locked’ Laptops
When asked why the US$10,000 transaction was absent from the company’s daily cash book, Smith claimed a separate spreadsheet existed for “outdoor store operations.”
Conveniently, this spreadsheet was not produced in court. Smith claimed he was denied access to his laptop containing the records. This defense was quickly dismantled by the State, as Smith admitted he had never actually approached the prosecutor to request his gadgets, nor could he prove that access had been denied.
Flip-Flopping on Vehicle Sales
The inconsistencies extended to high-value asset sales. While Smith initially denied involvement in vehicle transactions, he later buckled under pressure, acknowledging he facilitated the sale of a Toyota Land Cruiser 78 series to one Rodgers Kativhu.
Further admissions followed:
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Smith admitted to receiving a US$1,500 commission for the sale.
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He claimed to have received another US$1,500 on behalf of company director, Mr. Mike Asher.
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Crucially, he confirmed receiving a final balance of US$10,000 personally, again bypassing the finance department.
Convenient Memory Loss
Throughout the proceedings, Smith frequently resorted to claiming he could not recall specific details or the names of individuals involved in key transactions—a tactic the prosecution suggested was a veil for concealing the truth.
As the web of contradictions grows, Smith remains under the spotlight for allegedly betraying the trust of his principal for personal gain. The magistrate has remanded the matter to January 2026 for the continuation of the trial.