adminAshley Mujoma
TWO Harare men have now appeared in court for fraud involving US$33 000 in a botched fuel deal.
Mike Riseke and Tendai Samuriwo have appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, and will return on October 15 after being granted bail.
The other accused is Alexander Chandavengerwa.
Prosecutor Zebediah Bofu said on July 1, the complainant, Simba Buramuondo of Chihwa Energy Pvt Limited, flighted an advert in a WhatsApp group looking for 160 000 litres of diesel.
Chihwa Energy Pvt Ltd, represented by Simba Buramuondo, is the complainant in the case.
Prosecutor Zebediah Bofu said on July 1, the complainant ran an advertisement on a WhatsApp group looking for 160 000 litres of diesel.
Samuriwo, a member of the WhatsApp group, contacted the complainant, saying he had the fuel at the price of US$1,58 per litre compared to the market price of US$1,65.
Samuriwo then told the complainant to meet with his associate, Riseke, at Real Time Building, Corner Central Avenue and Third Street.
The complainant met Riseke on the same day and he was assured of getting 100 000 litres of diesel.
Chandavengerwa later joined the meeting and reassured the complainant that he would get his fuel upon payment.
The complainant then gave the US$33 000 he had in his possession to the duo.
The two told him that US$31 600 was for 20 000 litres of diesel, while US$1 400 was for transportation of fuel.
Later that day, the complainant went to the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NIOC) Msasa depot in Harare, with a truck, to collect the fuel.
But, he was told that no payment had been made and the accused persons had no fuel held at the depot.
The complainant later tried to contact the three accused persons, but they were no longer reachable.
As a result, the complainant suffered actual prejudice of US$33 000.
Nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter