adminNoleen Makhurane Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man, who last month demanded a copy of the state outline to prepare his defence, grilled a complainant who accused him of fraud.
Billiard Chigodora, 37, told magistrate Adelaide Mbeure on Wednesday that Bukhosi Nkomo made up the charge as he pleaded not guilty to fraud.
Chigodora, who was last year convicted of assault, told the court fraud was a petty crime that was beneath him.
“I’m known for many crimes but I would never commit a crime such as fraud. I got out of prison three weeks ago after serving time for assault,” he said.
Chigodora said even police officers knew that fraud was not his line of crime.
The magistrate remanded him in custody to today.
Nkomo took the witness stand and told the court Chigodora duped her of a bag containing goods worth $100 near St Patrick’s Primary School along 6th Avenue Extension.
Chigodora tore into Moyo saying she did not even know the value of the goods he allegedly took from her.
“The State outline is saying $96 and you’re saying $100,” he charged.
Chigodora told the court that Nkomo had made a mistake in identifying him because on the day in question he was nowhere near St Patrick’s.
She said she was able to identify Chigodora because of his bald head and dark complexion.
“I’ve many visible scars on my face and head and have no front teeth. If she had seen me she should’ve mentioned these distinct marks but she failed to. There are many bald and dark people in Bulawayo,” he said.
Chigodora said Nkomo was clearly confused and was being dishonest about the value of goods that were stolen from her.
“It’s incredible that she gave a stranger her bag without even asking for his name,” he said.
Nkomo, in frustration, ended up answering: “I don’t know,” to every question but maintained Chigodora was the one who robbed her.
Prosecuting Alfred Makonese said on April 9 at around 3PM along 6th Avenue Extension Chigodora asked Nkomo to help him offload clothes at a car parked by St Patrick’s in Makokoba.
The court heard Chigodora told Nkomo to wait near the car while he put her satchel and cellphone somewhere safe. He allegedly told her there were cellphones and clothes in the car adding she would not be able to prove she had not stolen them.
Chigodora vanished with her property worth $96.
Online Reporter