BUSINESSMAN DUPED US$66k IN BOTCHED BUS DEAL

Zvikomborero Parafini

A CITY businessman was duped of US$66 000 by his former business associate in a botched deal where they were supposed to buy a bus in a joint venture.

The suspect, Faison Samambwa, was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Apollonia Marutya yesterday.

The complainant is Tonderai Sean Manakira.

Allegations are that in April last year, Samambwa allegedly hatched a plan to defraud Makakira and told him he had bought a Marcopolo bus for US$80 000.

He said he was operating a company called Milta Coaches and was looking for an investor who could inject cash into the business.

Manakira became interested in the joint venture and on May 31 last year, he handed over US$35 000 to Samambwa for the joint venture.

A partnership agreement was drafted between the two parties and Manakira paid a further US$31 000 to Samambwa for the maintenance of the bus.

Manakira started to make follow-ups on the business and the accused always kept telling him the bus had a breakdown.

On another occasion, Samambwa told Manakira that the bus was in South Africa on business.

Manakira grew suspicious as no returns were being given to him by Samambwa and he sought clarity from the supplier, who was based in South Africa.

He realised he had been defrauded by his associate after the supplier confirmed through written affidavits that he has never done any business with Samambwa, let alone sell him a bus.

Manakira lost US$66 000 and nothing was recovered.