Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Zimpapers Writer
BULAWAYO Ward 1 councillor, Josiah Mutangi and his alleged accomplice, Janet Zhou, have appeared in court facing charges of defrauding 14 desperate vendors of nearly US$3 000 in kickbacks purportedly meant to secure vending bays.
The duo appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea, charged with 14 counts of fraud on Wednesday. They are denying the allegations through their lawyer, Ms Constance Mathaba of Makiye and Partners, who argued that the complainants had paid money to an association to facilitate vending bay allocations.
Ms Mathaba further claimed that the victims were allocated bays at a designated site in the city centre but rejected them, later demanding refunds and reporting the matter to the police.
The prosecutor, Ms Brenda Nyoni, said the alleged fraud began in February this year when Mutangi and Zhou approached vendors in Bulawayo’s central business district.
One complainant, Chishamiso Chihota, was allegedly asked to pay US$200 to secure a vending bay. After making the payment, she and others were repeatedly told that allocations were being processed, only for the accused to later become evasive.
“After receiving the money, the accused persons would call for meetings and tell Chihota and her fellow vending bay seekers that they were processing the allocation of bays. After that, they became evasive,” read court papers.
The same tactic was allegedly used on several other vendors, including Editor Hora and Priscilla Musingofa, who each paid US$200 after being promised vending bays.
Other victims — Tatenda Mogoniwa (US$400), Pedzisai Nyamasoka, Zodwa Mhungu, Maria Takawira, Tymon Mpofu, Marygold Nkomo, Dambudzo Muvhuniwa, Thembelenkosi Ndlovu, Dianah Mucheki and the late Noma Mpala — also allegedly fell prey to the scheme, each parting with US$200.
The victims eventually teamed up and reported the matter, leading to the arrest of Mutangi and Zhou.
The trial continues on Friday.
