FORMER New Era chief executive officer Audrin Mathe is threatening to sue the company’s board members for damages after they lodged a criminal case against him.
The threats were made yesterday in a letter through his lawyer directed to New Era’s board chairperson Esau Mbako, who reported a case of theft against Mathe to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Mathe is accused of transferring a vehicle which he used during his time at the company into his name without the authority of the board.
The former New Era boss is also being accused of holding onto the benefits and perks – such as vehicle insurance – that he received during his time at the company.
He was employed as New Era’s chief executive officer for about six years from May 2013 to January 2019. His contract was extended three times for three months.
However, after his contract ended in January this year, Mathe refused to hand over the vehicle he used as CEO, claiming that he was entitled to it as per the terms of his contract.
The conditions in his employment contract stipulate that he was to be given preference to buy the vehicle he used from New Era, at its commercial value at the end of his contract.
understands that New Era was still paying for the car’s insurance although it was registered under Mathe’s name.
When asked about the vehicle’s insurance, Mathe could not say with certainty whether he or New Era was paying for this.
He told that he had written to the board in April last year, requesting that the company discontinues the insurance contribution.
He, however, did not provide documents to substantiate this claim.
“I wrote an email to the board in April last year, telling them that they must stop paying for the insurance because double insurance is a crime. I cannot provide the proof now because I am locked out of my email,” he said.
Mbako yesterday confirmed that New Era was still paying for the insurance on Mathe’s vehicle.
He, however, said he had not received Mathe’s email requesting the company to discontinue the insurance policy.
“I am seized with a situation in which a vehicle that belongs to New Era has been transferred into Mathe’s name without my approval. I have tasked the relevant authorities to deal with the matter, and we let the law take its course,” he stated.
Mathe was thus reported to the anti-corruption watchdog for transferring the vehicle into his name without approval.
In the letter, Mathe claimed that he was still entitled to the vehicle.
He said he was authorised to transfer the vehicle into his name by a resolution taken by the company’s board in 2016.
According to the letter, the resolution authorised him to transfer the car into his name after using it for three years, or after the car reaches 100 000 kilometres on the clock.
Mathe threatened to sue all New Era board members if they try to have him prosecuted.
“Any attempt of prosecuting our client on these facts will invite a damages claim against each and every member of the board of New Era Publications Corporation who took part in the meeting or meetings whereat it was resolved to lodge a criminal case against our client,” the letter reads.
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