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Latwell Nyangu
ABOUT 300 Zimbabweans in South Africa, who invested in income-generating projects and businesses through the Zimbabwe Migration Network Programme (ZMNP), have been duped of about R3 million.
ZMNP is a profit-making company registered in South Africa for Zimbabweans.
It is involved in projects like poultry, a KFC franchise and e-commerce business, among others.
Founded by Luke Dzviti, the company has come under scrutiny for failure to honour some investors.
Dzviti is believed to be in Zimbabwe after pressure mounted on him at his base in South Africa.
One of the victims filed a report at Sandton Police Station.
Its reference number is 286/2/2024 and the case was filed on February 11.
Other members have established an 18-member committee of the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation (ZIF) to investigate and settle the matter.
The committee plans to contract lawyers to take the case of money laundering and theft to court.
A statement issued by the new committee reads:
“After noticing that the former chairman Luke Mufaro Dzviti did not make any payment to those who invested almost 12 months ago, the disgruntled members have decided to elect a new interim committee which will solely be working on recovering the investments and any other properties that have been lost due to Dzviti’s mistrust.
“The new committee is going to work with all members in drafting and compiling case numbers from all those who invested.
“With the help of the group’s legal advisor, it will contract lawyers who will take the case of money laundering and theft to court.”
One of the ZMNP investors said concerns were raised after Dzviti failed to pay overdue money to them.
“Luke’s unresponsiveness, muting WhatsApp groups and rumoured whereabouts in Zimbabwe raise apprehension.
“We urge those near him to encourage him to return to South Africa for accountability.”
Another investor said Dzviti came to Zimbabwe on February 5 but he claims he is in Zambia, Canada or America.
“The project has about 1 000 investors in total and the contracts were signed on WhatsApp where you filled out a form,” the investor said.
Dzviti told H-Metro he is currently on holiday.
“I am on leave and on holiday abroad. I always take leave this time of the year. I talk to people every day using my South African WhatsApp number because it’s not on roaming.
“I am going back to South Africa next week as my leave ends then. Handiti vanhu vese vanoenda ku leave, others went for Christmas.
“ZIF has its finance guys and I am not part of the signatories and ZMNP finances are handled by a firm in Johannesburg. I don’t do finances.
“Members pay to the company, not into my personal bank account. I am just the chairman. The majority of these investments are not yet mature.”
He added:
“Whoever told you that money was misappropriated is just witch-hunting. They are jealous people, who are unhappy with our success.
“ZMNP finances are not committee-related but are handled by accounting firms.
“As per the ZMNP constitution, I appoint a committee. They don’t self-appoint. Unless the current constitution has been changed without my knowledge.
“Currently I am the only one who knows the names of investors due to the (Protection of Personal Information) POPIA Act.”
Asked if he was aware of the police case, he said:
“Ask the Sandton Police to send me further details here on WhatsApp or by email as I am out of the country.
“I will get back to them.
“A delay is not theft, if cops call me, I will just tell them I haven’t finished. No one has ever been arrested for being late or delaying.
“Everyone will only lose if the SA government decides to shut down ZMNP.”
Online Reporter