Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
TWO former managers of CAG Traveller’s Coach bus service, already serving jail sentences for forgery, appeared in court yesterday charged with fresh counts of fraud and money laundering involving US$300 000.
Christopher Zongoro, the former general manager at the company’s High Glen depot, and his deputy, Lawrence Chakanyuka, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei.
The pair was remanded in custody to July 18, pending the completion of investigations.
The complainant in the case is CAG Traveller’s Coach, represented by company secretary Mr Elijah Tembo.
According to the prosecution, led by Ms Mercy Masamvi, the alleged offences occurred between 2018 and March 2, 2024.
During this period, Zongoro and Chakanyuka are accused of conspiring to print and use unauthorised receipt books, separate from official company records.
These illicit receipt books were distributed to bus conductors, who unknowingly used them in daily operations.
At the end of each day, Zongoro and Chakanyuka would collect proceeds recorded in these books, falsely claiming to have remitted the funds to the company.
In reality, the money was allegedly diverted for their personal benefit.
The offence came to light during a random audit, prompting the company to file a report with ZRP Dzivarasekwa.
As a result, the company suffered an actual loss of US$300 000, with no recovery to date.
The court also heard that Zongoro allegedly used the proceeds to purchase a house in Aspindale Park, Harare, two shops in Matambo and Chinaka (Hauna area), as well as a Mazda Eagle and a Toyota Allion.
Chakanyuka is alleged to have bought a stand in Stoneridge (Harare), a shop in Honde Valley, and another stand in Nyabira, which he registered in a friend’s name to conceal the illicit origin of the property.
Zongoro and Chakanyuka are already serving six-month jail sentences after being convicted of forging company receipt books in an earlier case.
The matter was postponed to July 18 as investigations continue.
