Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
IN Entumbane, they sell LP gas. Not dreams. Not miracles. Just gas. But one young man decided to add a little adventure to the business by converting his employer’s money into a personal salary upgrade.
Rugare Vengesai (20) was trusted to sell LP gas at Nhliziyo Complex. A simple job. Customer comes. Pays. Gas goes. Money goes to the boss. Easy. Even a calculator would clap for how straightforward the process is.
But Rugare apparently saw himself as a venture capitalist. He allegedly took the gas, sold it, and said to himself, “Ah, now this is mine.” Just like that. One scoop of entrepreneurship without a licence.
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Rugare woke up, went to work and performed what can only be described as the fastest business takeover in Bulawayo history. He pocketed US$159 from sales and went about his day like he had just collected a bonus for Employee of the Month.
But life is not a movie. The employer, Taonga Ngwere (28), quickly realised the math was not mathing. Gas was gone. Customers were satisfied. Money was gone too. So, the only thing left was police.
Rugare’s surprise business venture collapsed instantly.
He appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube, who delivered the legal equivalent of a hot stove lesson. Vengesai was fined US$150 or three months in prison. Then came six months more, but the court graciously suspended three months if Rugare behaves for three years. The other three months disappear only if he pays back the full US$159 by 5 December.
Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu, told the court that Rugare simply took gas, sold gas and enjoyed gas-free profits. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe’s legal system does not recognise this as a business model.
Rugare now knows that when the job is to sell gas, you do not gas your chances.
