Harare businessman duped of $10,000 meant for mini...

Harare businessman duped of $10,000 meant for mining equipment

Zim Now Writer

A Harare businessman is out US$10,000 after allegedly being duped by a company director posing as a mining equipment supplier. Pasipamuruka Chilimanzi, director of Rumrites Enterprises, and his accomplice Nkosinathi Ncube appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi over the weekend facing fraud charges.

The complainant, Paul Mutuzu, was looking for a supplier for a gold processing plant for his Mazowe mining claim. He posted on a Whatsapp group called "Mining in Zimbabwe" seeking help.

Ncube, posing as a director at Rumrites, contacted Mutuzu claiming the company could manufacture and install the equipment – a three-tonne wet pan, a five-tonne jaw crusher, transformer, and concentrator – for US$10,502.

Mutuzu agreed and paid an initial US$7,000 upfront with the remaining balance due in two months. He also made additional payments of US$1,800 and US$2,981 through money transfer services upon request from the suspects.

However, after receiving a total of US$9,500, Chilimanzi and Ncube only delivered an incomplete wet pan and made excuses for the rest of the equipment. They even provided Mutuzu with a receipt for US$8,800, shortchanging him by US$700.

Mutuzu, realizing he had been defrauded, reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrests of Chilimanzi and Ncube