Main in court for contempt of court over US$100k Asset Misappropriation

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent 

A man allegedly employed by Albitrim Enterprises Private Limited has been taken to court on charges of contempt of court.

Brian Matongo, 42, appeared before Magistrate Isheunesu Matova at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing the allegations.

Matongo, who was summoned from his residence, is set to appear in court again on February 18 for a routine remand hearing.

The complainant in the case is Albitrim Enterprises Private Limited, represented by Oscar Tafadzwa Gasva, 42.

The State, represented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on October 16, 2019, the High Court of Zimbabwe issued a provisional liquidation order for the complainant. Subsequently, on December 18, 2019, the High Court issued another order placing Albitrim Enterprises Private Limited under liquidation, with the complainant's representative nominated as the liquidator (Case HC 7897/19).

During the liquidation process, the complainant declared its assets, which included two Freightliner FLD 120 horses with registration numbers ADC 1047 and ADC 1048, an International horse with registration number ADC 7365, a homemade trailer with registration number ACZ 9845, a Tandem local trailer with registration number ACZ 9975, and a Trinity local semi-trailer with registration number AEG 1774.

The State alleges that Matongo, fully aware of the High Court order prohibiting any business activities or disposal of the listed assets without the liquidator’s knowledge and permission, violated this order. He allegedly disposed of the assets and converted the proceeds to his personal use.

As a result, assets valued at approximately US$100 000 were reportedly misappropriated.