Caps United boss who is also the owner of Helcraw Electrical, Farai Jere was yesterday denied bail and remanded in custody to 10 September.
In denying bail to Jere, Magistrate Lazini Ncube said the accused person is a man of means capable of absconding court if granted bail.
“What weighs against them the most is that there is overwhelming evidence against them and the amount involved is quite substantial. It is Court’s observation that there is overwhelming evidence against the accused as submitted by the state,” he said.
He also dismissed the argument to grant bail by the defense counsel’s plea for Jere to surrender his travelling documents saying it was not a guarantee that he will not abscond.
Allegations against Jere emanated from way back in 2016, when he won a tender to supply the power utility ZETDC with 1151 smart meters and a head end system at a cost of US$3,566, 878.
According to the state, Jere allegedly produced a fake factory acceptance test visit report to the effect that the smart meters and head end system met ZETDC’s standards.
Jere’s co-accused Leonard Chisina and Freeman Chikonzo who were also arrested with him stand accused of signing the false report.
