Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
TWO travel agents have appeared in court for allegedly defrauding Wellton Primary School of US$10 000 after falsely claiming they could organise a students’ tour to Dubai.
Leslie Simbarashe Gurajena (49) and Evelyn Tawa (47) were last week arraigned before Harare Magistrate Mrs Ruth Moyo on fraud charges and were remanded in custody until November 26, pending a bail ruling.
Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that the accused operate a Facebook page named Little Travel Tours, where they advertise local and international travel packages.
On March 13, 2025, Wellton Primary School, represented by Vimbai Sibanda, contacted the accused after seeing their advertisement.
The school sought their services to facilitate a Dubai trip scheduled for October 20-26, 2025, for its learners.
Gurajena allegedly quoted US$18 000 for the trip, which he claimed would cover visa processing, air tickets, accommodation and additional activities.
Tawa was reportedly sent to Beitbridge to formalise the agreement and the school was assured full services would be provided.
Acting on these representations, the school paid the accused a total of US$10 100 in three instalments of US$1 500, US$5 300, and US$3 300 between June 13 and September 3, 2025.
The remaining balance was to be paid after the visas were processed.
However, after receiving the payments, the accused became evasive and stopped answering phone calls from the complainant.
When a school representative visited to make a follow up, Gurajena denied any association with the company, despite having provided the original quote.
This prompted the school to file a police report, leading to the arrest of both accused.
