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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A BUSINESSMAN from Kwekwe has been convicted of theft after defrauding Bhola Hardware City of cellphones and accessories valued at US$38 500.
The conviction of James Paradza (46) followed a full trial presided over by Harare Magistrate Lisah Mutendereki.
Paradza was initially sentenced to 36 months in prison, but 18 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 18 months were suspended on condition that Paradza restitutes Bhola Hardware City US$38 500 by April 25.
Should he fail to pay restitution, Paradza will serve the 18-month custodial sentence.
Glidewell Investments (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Bhola Hardware City, is a wholesale business specialising in hardware, stationery, and electrical gadgets such as cellphones and accessories.
Mr Amon Shumba, the company’s security manager, represented it in court.
Paradza, the owner of Mambo Cellular Networks located at 4 Freecam Building, Nelson Mandela Way, Kwekwe, had maintained a longstanding business relationship with Bhola Hardware City.
According to prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jamabawu, the businesses had been transacting in the cellphone trading industry for several years.
Initially, Paradza bought cellphones and accessories from Bhola Hardware City on a cash wholesale basis.
Over time, as trust developed between the parties, Bhola Hardware City began supplying Paradza with cellphones on credit.
Under this arrangement, Paradza was required to sell the cellphones and remit the proceeds to Bola Hardware City.
However, between October 2022 and July 2024, Paradza received 300 TECNO Spark 20 cellphones from Bhola Hardware City on two occasions under the credit agreement.
Instead of remitting the proceeds as agreed, Paradza breached the arrangement, selling the phones and converting most of the funds to his personal use.
This fraudulent conduct caused a financial loss of US$42 558 to Bhola Hardware City, of which only US$4 000 was recovered, leaving the US$38 000 that he now must pay.
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