Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku Zimpapers Writer
BULAWAYO’S ward one councillor Josiah Mutangi and his co-accused Janet Zhou appeared in court on Tuesday for trial, facing a string of fraud charges for allegedly swindling desperate vendors of US$200 each after promising them to secure vending bays for them.
The pair appeared before Bulawayo Provincial magistrate Richard Ramaboea and pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of fraud.
Cllr Mutangi and Zhou are represented by their lawyer Ms Constance Mathaba of Makiye and Partners.
Through their lawyer the pair denied the charges, saying they never received money from the 14 vendors who wanted vending bays and said the complainants paid money to an association to facilitate the securing bays for them.
Mutangi and his alleged partner in crime, through their defense counsel further stated that the 14 victims were given vending place at a place situated in the city centre but they refused to accept the vending bays as they allegedly stated that they did not like the place and demanded to be refunded their money. After that they reported the case to the police leading to the arrest of the pair.
Mutangi was recently convicted and sentenced to serve 30 days behind bars after he repeatedly defied court orders to vacate a farm house situated in Umguza on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
