Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
An agronomist and his accomplice have appeared in court facing fraud charges after they sold a fake weed chemical to an unsuspecting client.
Godwin Tafadzwa Makonese (42) and Kelvin Chivhizhe (32) were granted US$100 bail each when they appeared before a Harare magistrate.
The court heard that on November 1 2025, the complainant approached Makonese at his workplace looking for a chemical known as Stella Star used for killing weeds.
It is alleged that Makonese advised the complainant that he knew of a cheaper chemical, while fully aware that the chemical was fake.
He allegedly took the complainant to Chivhizhe, and the complainant bought 20 X 1 litre of fake Stella Star herbicide.
Both accused persons knew that the chemical was a fake weed killer. The court heard that Makonese and Chivhizhe charged the complainant US$900 and they shared the money.
The complainant sold the herbicide Stellar Star weed killer to his customers, who alerted him that the herbicide was fake.
The complainant went on to collect all the fake weed killers and quizzed the accused persons on why they had sold him fake weed killer.
It is alleged that Makonese and Chivhizhe immediately disappeared from the scene. The complainant made a report at ZRP Harare Central.
On January 17 2026, detectives from CID Suspects, Harare received information to the effect that Makonese was spotted in Harare’s CBD.
They reacted to the information and managed to arrest him.
