Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
THE director of Dynaly Travel and Tours, Daniel Madamombe, has been jailed for three years after being found guilty of swindling a private school out of more than US$22 000 after a failed Victoria Falls tour.
Madamombe was convicted of misrepresentation and failure to deliver services paid for by Angels Island School.
He was initially sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment, of which one year was suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Another year was also set aside on condition that he restitutes US$26 665 to the complainant before September 30, 2026.
He will serve the remaining three years in jail.
The complainant, represented by the school’s risk manager, Mr Tawanda Garanewako, told the court that Madamombe had been contracted to arrange a Victoria Falls trip for 48 pupils and staff in January.
According to the State, the accused quoted US$602 per person, covering flights, accommodation, meals, and activities, bringing the total cost to US$28 896, later discounted to US$28 800.
Between May 14 and July 2, the school reportedly paid a total of US$26 665 towards the trip.
However, investigations revealed that Madamombe only paid US$5 790 to Air Zimbabwe for flight tickets, despite claiming to have paid US$17 280.
He also misrepresented that he had settled accommodation and activity costs at Sweet Holiday Homes, when in fact no such payments had been made.
When questioned about the discrepancies, Madamombe failed to provide satisfactory explanations and began evading the school.
A police report was subsequently filed at ZRP Rhodesville, leading to his arrest. The school suffered a total financial prejudice of US$22 875, and nothing has been recovered to date.
