Minister’s son in court

businessman of US$2 700, which had been initially given him for some consultancy services.

Tongai, the son of Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, is being jointly charged with Hopalong Cassidy Mugwagwa and Odwell Mutandinda Simungu (Mupostori). They appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo.

The trio denied the charges when its trial opened arguing that the complainant Timothy Myambo had loaned them only US$1 100 when they intended to buy air tickets and they were willing to pay him back. They also denied meeting Myambo at Meikles Hotel.

“We have never transacted with the complainant at Meikles. On the day in question, Simungu, a church elder, was at a shrine praying.
“Also he had lied to us from the onset saying he was a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation and was based at Munhumutapa offices.
“Our investigations revealed his real background is that he once worked with our relative by the name Regis Sibanda at Karigamombe Centre.

“So we decided to withdraw his services and that is when he declared he wanted to fix us.
“We are willing to pay him back the US$1 100 and not the US$2 700,” Mnangagwa said.
Prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru alleges that on April 28 this year the four were at Meikles Hotel where the complainant received money for consultancy services from the trio.

Out of the money he got from the three he allegedly took US$2 700 and handed it over to Tongai so that he could keep it for him as he intended to travel out of town.
The complainant could not take the money to the bank since it was after working hours, it is alleged.

The complainant allegedly had faith in the trio since it was the first time for him to give them money.
Mr Myambo, it is alleged, went on his business trip and upon his return he called Tongai and asked for his money and the latter told him that he had deposited it in a bank and he would give him the following Monday.

On the day, Tongai allegedly told the complainant that Mugwagwa had the money and he inquired from him but he did not have the money.
On numerous occasions the complainant approached the trio but they did not give him his money.
The complainant realised that he had been conned and reported the matter to the police leading to the trio’s arrest.