Commodity broker loses US$3k

Zvikomborero Parafini

TWO Harare men yesterday landed in the dock for allegedly defrauding a commodity broker of US$3 000.

Daniel Austen and Owen Musonzapfani appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Allegations are that on November 4, Austen placed an order over the phone of 480x500g Cerevita, 360x500g Cerelac and 2 160x75g Royco from Evolution Distributors.

Daniel Chaitezvi processed the order and used a kombi to transport the groceries.

He met Austen at Avondale Shopping Centre with the consignment.

It is alleged Austen called Musonzapfani and instructed him to organise transport, and hired a Nissan NP300 truck.

The groceries were loaded into the truck, but they couldn’t all fit, and Austen loaded the remainder into his car.

It is the State’s case that Austen then told Chaitezvi to accompany him to his house to collect the money for the groceries, while Musonzapfani took the groceries to Westlea. Austen allegedly went with Chaitezvi to Jonah Court, at the corner of Natal Road and Oxford Road, in Avondale.

He made Chaitezvi park at the back entrance then went into the flat and disappeared.

After a while, Chaitezvi became suspicious that he had been hoodwinked.

He looked for Austen, with the help of the caretaker, who told him he did not reside there.

Investigations led to the location of the driver of the Nissan NP300, who led the police to where he had dropped the groceries in Westlea, but they had been moved to another location.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Musonzapfani, who led police to Austen.

The goods stolen are worth US$3 850.

Pardon Dziva prosecuted.