Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Two Harare dealers appeared in court yesterday after being implicated in a counterfeit fertilizer scam worth over US$35 000.
The two Ishmael Takudzwa Mataya and Tapiwa Chipiti, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, who released them on US$500 bail.
They are facing eight fraud charges and join their accomplice Blessing Mushonga who already appeared in court.
Blessing Mushonga and his accomplices work for Agro Zim Solutions.
The group allegedly placed a misleading advertisement on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe, claiming to sell fertilizers and agrochemicals.
One victim, Stainley Mafumo, a farmer from Calgry Farm in Christon Bank, Mazowe, responded to the advertisement and purchased 150 tonnes of Compound D fertilizer valued at US$66 066.
Mafumo reportedly paid US$34 000 into a First Capital Bank account provided by Mushonga, with an agreement to settle the balance upon delivery.
Mushonga allegedly delivered only 619 bags of Superfert Compound D fertilizer and failed to supply the remaining quantity. He later refunded US$6 000 to Mafumo.
After he got suspicious of the quality of the fertilizer, Mr Mafumo sent samples for testing at the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development under the Department of Agricultural Research, Innovation, and Specialist Services Directorate. The results confirmed that the fertilizer was counterfeit, leaving him at a total loss of US$28 000.
Using similar tactics, the gang accused of defrauding seven other victims Simbarashe Manhambara, Langton Moyana, Jairos Samaneka, Elphas Mazvisiya, Munyaradzi Manomano, Takeover Dzimati, and Edmore Mukaro.
The total financial prejudice across all eight cases amounts to US$35 781, with only US$6 000 recovered so far.
derick.khumalo