You’ve got a case to answer, US$1m fraud suspect told

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

Harare regional magistrate Mr Clever Tsikwa last week squashed an application of discharge by a Preperco Investments director who allegedly wanted to defraud Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) US$1 million in a tender scandal.

Langton Madara had applied for discharge at the close of the State case but Mr Tsikwa said he should be put to his defence and his trial will resume on September 18. Madara, denying the allegations and pleading not guilty, is alleged to have submitted a fake bank guarantee to secure an advance payment from the ZRP.

Presenting the State case, prosecutor Mr Tendai Tapi led evidence from three witnesses.

The State alleged that sometime in 2022, ZRP advertised in a newspaper that they were looking for printing material suppliers.

The police were looking for reputable companies who could supply them with printing paper in bulk and Madara responded. The police then awarded Madara the tender. However, sometime in January last year, a contract was signed between the ZRP represented by Commissioner General of Police Godwin Tandabantu Matanga and Madara. Part of the contract had special conditions which required that ZRP would make an advance payment of 15 percent of the total cost which was to be backed by a bank guarantee.

The total cost was US$1 684 448, thus US$252 667 was to be paid as advance payment.

The court heard that Madara was later asked to supply the bank guarantee to process the payment. Madara allegedly produced a bank guarantee dated October 2 2023 from FBC Bank Samora Machel Branch and it was stamped and had a letterhead of FBC Bank.

However, before payment was made the police decided to check the authenticity of the bank guarantee and the bank disowned it on the basis that it was a doctored document. FBC further highlighted that the letterhead and date stamp on the bank guarantee were fake.

Mr Tapi alleged that the letter was submitted to deceive the ZRP, which would have released the 15 percent advance payment to Madara and the remaining 85 percent upon supply of the materials.