Former Warriors manager Rafik Adams fraud trial starts

Mthabisi Tshuma, Chronicle Writer

FORMER Zimbabwe national men’s football team manager Rafik Adams has appeared in court to face fraud charges involving over US$7O 000 which he allegedly failed to pay to a local businessman for services that were rendered to him.

Mr Adams appeared at Harare Magistrates Courts on Wednesday before magistrate Mrs Munashe Chibanda.

He is being charged with fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

It is the state’s case that Mr Adams failed to honour his contractual agreement with businessman Mr

Benson Muneri. Mr Adams is alleged to have been supposed to pay Mr Muneri for renovating his warehouse.

“On 10 November 2021, complainant Benson Muneri who is the Director of AHP Shop Fitters

Private Limited entered into a contract with the accused person Rafik Adams representing A. Adams and Company to renovate the accused’s warehouse at corner Coventry and New Castle Road in Workington, Harare. The cost for renovations was agreed for US$465 146-95 and the payment was agreed to be made in instalments.

“Sometime in April 2021 to February 2022, the accused person would advise the complainant to raise acknowledgement receipt of the instalments due before he handed over the money and the accused would fulfil the agreement when the complainant wanted to be paid the outstanding balance of US$70 645. The complainant then went to the accused’s office to collect the outstanding balance and the accused person started to give false promises he later became evasive. The total prejudice is US$75 645 and nothing was recovered,” reads the court record.

In cross examination, Adams denied the charges levelled against him.

“I do not know the reason why l am here facing these charges as when payment was made that’s when a receipt was issued,” he said.

Magistrate Mrs Chibanda said she feels there is more to the case. The trial will continue on 4 March at 2.15pm.

@mthabisi_mthire