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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
A GWERU company, Zimbuild Property Investments lost more than $70 000 to a Harare fraudster in a botched earthmoving equipment purchasing deal.
It is understood that, Baldwin Mushambi (33) of New Centenary Park in Harare, allegedly defrauded the company of more than $70 000 after misrepresenting that he was selling a CAT Grader 140E. It is alleged that Zimbuild Property Investment, transport and logistics officer, Mr Thembani Gumbo (28) deposited the money into Mushambi’s EcoCash and bank accounts.
After, making the payment, Mushambi, however, failed to deliver the grader and it was later discovered that the earthmoving machinery belonged to one Peter Bosha. Mushambi last week appeared before Gweru magistrate, Ms Vimbai Makora facing a charge of fraud. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to Friday for trial.
For the State, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court that Mushambi unlawfully and intentionally defrauded Mr Gumbo after misrepresenting that he owned a motorised CAT Grader. Mr Marimo told the court that between 21 August to 2 October, Mushambi misrepresented to Zimbuild that he was selling the grader which belonged to him.
The court heard that on 1 September, Mr Gumbo paid $33 000 to Mushambi using EcoCash and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and on 2 October, Mr Gumbo again paid an additional $15 000 using EcoCash and $22 058 RTGS towards the purchase of the machinery.
The court heard that after receiving the money, Mushambi failed to hand over the grader and kept on avoiding him while at the same time giving unsatisfactory excuses. Mr Gumbo reported the matter to police resulting in Mushambi’s arrest. It was later discovered that the machinery in question belonged to Bosha. Nothing has been recovered.
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