Harare | The trial of Michael Gordon Smith starts on November 20 and he is now facing 22 further counts of defrauding MA Auto Suppliers, operating as Mr Cruiser, of at least US$38 000 and R124 000 and theft of trust property, in addition to the 16 counts he was facing when he was originally accused.
Smith, who was a director alongside Mr Cruiser, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Munashe Chibanda this week facing a total of 38 charges of fraud.
Smith, who is free on $100 000 bond, initially appeared in court in February this year accused with defrauding MA Auto Suppliers defended by Michael Scot Asher.
The actions were allegedly perpetrated when Mr Asher was overseas in Australia during the Covid-19 era when movement was limited.
The court heard that Smith allegedly omitted to disclose to Mr Asher that their firm was paying its South African suppliers through a third party, Mant Procurement (Pvt) Ltd.
Additionally, Smith is likely to defend himself for failing to account for US$28 985,72 in service costs received from family and friends after exploiting the company’s resources.
It is the State’s contention that in September last year, MA Auto Suppliers found that Mant Procurement was overcharging the firm and it had incurred prejudice in excess of R100 000.
In February, Smith reportedly imported two tents using MA Auto Suppliers resources and sold them to a Ms Horsley for US$1 800.
Smith reportedly used the same criminal operandi to import a station wagon rear bumper and RHS carrier and the purchaser paid R24 259,83 directly into Mant Procurement’s FNB account.
On another occasion, Smith was approved by Mr Asher to sell a Company Toyota Land Cruiser for US$7 500 and he reportedly converted the funds to his own use.
In November 2020, Smith also failed to account for a US$10 000 loan provided to the firm.
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