Charles Duri
By Tendai Gukutikwa
MUTARE – THREE men from Mutare have appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly masterminding a scheme in which they posed as bulk grocery buyers and duped two companies of goods worth more than US$12 500.
The accused, Prince Ruvimbo Dhau (31), Pardon Dhau (35), and Dennis Chikotosa (39), were arrested following investigations into two separate incidents involving Olivine Industries and Metro Peech Hypermarket.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects allegedly deceived sales representatives into delivering large consignments of groceries without making payment.
“The suspects are facing fraud charges after allegedly misrepresenting themselves as legitimate customers and obtaining goods through false pretences. Investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The first incident reportedly occurred on April 9 when the suspects contacted Olivine Industries’ Mutare branch development manager, Mr Evans Tenha, expressing interest in purchasing groceries in bulk.
Following the request, sales representative Gilbert Mushata was instructed to deliver the goods to what the suspects claimed was their shop at St Joseph Business Centre in Chikanga.
According to police, Mushata met the suspects at Beit Hall in Sakubva before being directed to the alleged business premises, where he offloaded 150 cases of Olivine cooking oil, 150 cases of Pure drop cooking oil and 50 boxes of Jade bathing soap.
The suspects allegedly instructed him to deliver the remaining consignment to another shop in Dangamvura, assuring him that payment would be made there.
“One of the suspects accompanied the complainant to Dangamvura Complex but disappeared upon arrival,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
“When the complainant returned, he discovered that the goods already offloaded at St Joseph Business Centre had been removed and the suspects could no longer be located.”
Investigations later revealed that the groceries had allegedly been loaded onto a white Scania truck and transported from the area. Olivine Industries suffered a loss of US$8 560.
In a similar incident on May 20, the trio allegedly targeted Metro Peech Hypermarket in Mutare.
Police say the suspects contacted sales representative Stephen Chindudzo, claiming they wanted to purchase groceries in bulk for resale at a shop in Odzi.
Chindudzo reportedly met the suspects near a filling station at Christmas Pass and was instructed to load various grocery items—including sugar, mealie-meal, cooking oil, biscuits, soft drinks and matches—into their vehicle.
The suspects allegedly promised payment after delivery of the remaining goods to Odzi Business Centre.
One of the accused then accompanied Chindudzo to Odzi before disappearing under the pretext of collecting money for payment. The company was allegedly prejudiced of groceries valued at US$4 023.
Police investigations subsequently linked the suspects to both cases.
A white Scania truck allegedly used to transport some of the goods stolen from Olivine Industries was recovered in Mutare’s central business district on April 22.
Investigators established that the vehicle had been hired from a local transporter who was unaware of the alleged criminal activities.
A breakthrough came on May 29 when detectives arrested Prince Ruvimbo Dhau and Pardon Dhau.
Information obtained during questioning allegedly implicated a third suspect, Dennis Chikotosa, who was arrested in Mutare’s central business district the following day.
Further investigations led police to a shop at Sakubva Bus Terminus, where some of the groceries allegedly obtained through fraud were recovered.
The recovered items included cooking oil, sugar and mealie-meal that had reportedly been sold to a local trader.
Police also allege that part of the consignment stolen from Olivine Industries was transported to Harare and sold there.
Investigators further established that a Toyota Axio allegedly belonging to one of the suspects was used during the commission of the offences and was positively identified by the complainants.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged businesses to exercise caution when dealing with unfamiliar customers seeking large purchases.
“We encourage companies and business operators to verify the identities, business premises and payment arrangements of prospective clients before releasing goods,” he said.
“Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated and businesses should conduct due diligence to avoid falling victim to such scams.”
He also urged members of the public to report suspicious transactions and criminal activities promptly to assist law enforcement in combating fraud-related offences.
Online Reporter