Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
A BUSINESSMAN and his company have appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing theft of trust property charges after allegedly failing to account for US$11 550 paid for the clearance and transportation of goods imported from China.
Edwell Ngwenya (38) and Novum Intium (Private) Limited, represented by Ngwenya in his capacity as a director, are accused of converting the money to their own use instead of using it to settle freight and clearance charges for three containers belonging to Shriji Luggageware (Private) Limited.
Ngwenya was granted US$200 bail when he appeared before Harare Magistrates Court.
The State alleges that in October last year, Shriji Luggageware purchased three containers of raw materials from China for importation into Zimbabwe.
The company subsequently engaged Ngwenya and Novum Intium (Private) Limited to handle the clearance and transportation of the consignment from Beira Port in Mozambique to its premises in Zimbabwe.
It is alleged that Ngwenya quoted US$25 000 for the service, which the complainant paid in full. After receiving the money, Ngwenya allegedly assured the company that the consignment would be cleared and delivered to its premises.
However, the State alleges that the accused persons failed to deliver the goods as agreed, prompting the complainant to conduct its own investigations to establish the whereabouts of the consignment.
The court heard that the investigations revealed that freight charges for transporting the containers from Beira to Harare, telex release fees, and Beira Port clearance charges had not been paid.
