The Harare Magistrates Court has revoked the placement on remand of Waverly Blankets and Waverley Plastics Managing Director Aron Vico, Lakshmikanth Boddapati and Maxwell Maheya in a case that had been lodged against them by Amanda Berkowits.
This comes amid the trio had been wrongfully arrested in March 2022.
On August 3rd 2022,the court ruled that the allegations did not disclose any criminal offense and the charges were quashed.
In another case, Amanda Berkowits and Belynda Halfon lodged a complaint against Aron Vico and Lakshmikanth Boddapati to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC), prosecution was declined after investigations revealed that there was no evidence of any criminal offence having been committed.
In an interview with the media concerning the issue Aron Vico confirmed that the criminal cases lodged against them were closed.
“I confirm that the two cases mentioned have been closed. The same also applies in respect of countless other frivolous and vexatious cases that were lodged against me and others by Amanda Berkowits and Belynda Halfon were the State declined to prosecute,” Aron Vico said.
“In the past, I have refrained from publicly commenting on these issues because I do not believe that it is proper to wash the family’s proverbial dirty laundry in public. I still hold that firm belief.”
Aron Vico further states that, “I also believe that at this stage, it is important that I must render an explanation and respond to the unjustified media attacks against me, other family members and members of staff that my Grandfather gave shares to for the continued running of his legacy.
These include his trusted and valued employee Mr. Lakshmikanth Boddapati who is one of the pillars of that company.”
Aron Vico blamed the media articles that were not balanced and were misleading people and to tarnish the family name.
“My late Grandfather would be turning in his grave on what Amanda Berkowits and Belynda Halfon are doing. These attacks are making the pillars of the company crumble,” Aron Vico said.
“The continued harassment is not only affecting those close to me but is now affecting the survival of the businesses that are under my control, and in turn, that of over 1,300 employees who are dependent on the businesses.”
“These most recent frivolous allegations that was lodged against us has been lodged many times previously by Amanda and Belynda, always investigated and the authorities have always closed the cases once we are given the chance to explain all of the facts. The outcome from this case has proved to be the same again.”
“Amanda confirmed that she did not sign the Memorandum and Articles of Association for Waverley Plastics (Pvt) Ltd. This is despite the fact that in an affidavit that she had deposed to during the course of High Court proceedings, Amanda Berkowits had perjuriously suggested that she had signed the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Amanda was subsequently charged with perjury and is currently out on bail.”
In another interview Aron Vico said that Amanda and Belynda did not subscribes to the company shares.
“Apart from them not having subscribed for shares in Waverley Plastics (Pvt) Ltd as required by the law, Amanda and Belynda contributed nothing towards the financing of the business, nor did theymake any contribution in the running of the business.
There is no Board resolution appointing any of them to the directorship of the Company. I don’t believe Amanda had ever visited Waverley Plastics until sometime in 2021, which is the same day that she criminally insulted and harassed me.”
Amanda was recently charged and convicted for criminally assaulting Aron Vico and was sentenced to do community
service.
False media reports published were misleading and did not gather correct facts were they reports that she was acquitted.
Aron Vico was granted a peace order against Amanda to stop her from disturbing my peace following her sustained violent conduct against him .
“I want to make it clear that from the discredited media reports that mislead that my application for a peace order had been dismissed.”
“In Waverley Plastics, I have always been the sole signatory to the bank account. I have always been the only one to sign the financial documents such as annual returns, which I did as the Managing Director and this was all done under the instructions and wishes of my late grandfather, Mr Victor
Cohen.
The Registrar of companies accepted the annual returns with my signature as the director, which is proof that the changes to the documentation were all in order.
These actions have been constant since incorporation. The staff of Waverley Plastics have only known me to be the Managing Director and majority shareholder in Waverley Plastics (Pvt) Ltd.
Since Waverley Plastics’ incorporation, the late Mr. Cohen told everyone that I was the owner and how proud he was of me for the good job that I was doing by running it. This was never challenged whilst the late Mr Cohen was alive.
Anyone who knew Mr. Cohen, and dealt with the company
knows the truth of this matter.
Amanda and Belynda have also chosen to include Lakshmikanth Bodappati, Mr. Omar and many others in their vindictive attack.
These are also innocent parties and including them in this family
feud is unacceptable and has created many challenges to the continued running of the businesses.
Amanda and Belynda had lodged a formal complaint to ICAZ against Mr. Omar.”
Again, (Contrary to the paid media), on the 7th of March 2022, after deliberations before the Tribunal, ICAZ withdrew the charges pending the determination of the High Court matters relating
to the shareholder dispute of Waverley Plastics.
It is extremely sad that Amanda and Belynda have stooped to this low level and are trying to steal my shares by lodging spurious allegations against me and others when everyone knows the truth.
I appeal to the relevant investigators and interested parties to take cognizance of the whole matter and consequences of the constant harassment which is now threatening the entire survival of my grandfathers legacy.”
