Published: 6 hours ago

Former Highlanders FC chief executive officer Brian Busani Moyo has pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding the club of US$2 000, instead accusing the Bulawayo giants and his convicted accomplice, Andrew Mandigora, of corruption.

Moyo appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Richard Ramaboea on Tuesday for continuation of his fraud trial. The case stems from alleged irregularities in the purchase of players Never Rauzhi and Malvern Hativagoni.

Represented by lawyer Thamani Ncube of Wallace Law Chambers, Moyo claimed Highlanders officials colluded with Mandigora in inflating player transfer fees. He alleged that in a previous deal, before his appointment as CEO, a player's fee was raised from US$5 000 to US$5 500, with the extra US$500 later returned by Mandigora after Bulawayo Chiefs discovered irregularities.

Moyo denied personally defrauding Highlanders, insisting the club paid Bulawayo Chiefs US$23 000, a figure he signed for, while accusing Mandigora of falsifying receipts and the Memorandum of Understanding to reflect US$18 000.

When pressed by the State, Moyo admitted the documents bore his signature but maintained the figures were manipulated. Prosecutors argued that Moyo knowingly signed the documents to facilitate the fraud, pocketing US$2 000 while Mandigora received US$3 000.

Moyo was remanded out of custody to September 16 for judgment.
- The Chronicle

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