Munyaradzi Mashiri
Zim Now Court Correspondent
Two individuals have been arraigned before the Harare Magistrates' Court for allegedly defrauding a Bulgarian national of US$200,000 in a gold mining investment scheme.
Barnabus Kavai, of Borrowdale, and Ashley Makara, of Crowhill, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, facing fraud charges. They were each granted bail of US$200.
According to prosecutor Mercy Masamvi, on February 12, 2024, the complainant, having arrived in Zimbabwe from Bulgaria, was invited by Kavai to explore potential investment opportunities. Kavai introduced Makara as the owner of Crown Mine, a gold mine located in Guruve.
The accused informed the complainant that they were experiencing financial difficulties and were seeking investments to sustain and expand the mine’s production capacity. They allegedly misrepresented that an investment of US$200,000 would secure the complainant a partnership in Crown Mine, with a promise of receiving a return equivalent to 4kg of gold after four months. Additionally, the complainant was assured a 30% share of the net profits from all mining operations.
As part of the agreement, the complainant was to be made a director in Kavai's company, KPM (Pvt) Ltd, which would be confirmed through their website (kpm-mining.com).
On February 15, 2024, the complainant, accompanied by Kavai, Makara, and Eleazar Tamiriraishe Malomba, the contractor at Crown Mine, toured the mine to assess its operations and conditions. After spending four days at the mine, the complainant was convinced of the legitimacy of the offer and agreed to invest in the mine.Later in February, the complainant returned to Bulgaria but came back to Harare on February 23, 2024. Upon his return, he gave Makara US$10,000 for registration fees.
On February 27, the complainant transferred US$170,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet and provided the equivalent in cash to Makara.Due to the complainant's status as a tourist, he was frequently shuttling between Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe as his visa expired. Despite this, he continued with his investment, giving an additional US$10,000 to Makara on April 10, 2024. The final installment of US$10,000 was handed over on June 19, 2024, bringing the total investment to US$200,000.
The court heard that Makara used the funds to settle mining debts, including payments to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, ZESA, and for the purchase of equipment such as shovels, uniforms, boots, compressors, water pumps, a bow mill, and other protective gear required for mining operations.The complainant became deeply involved in the mine's operations, overseeing changes aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.
At Kavai’s suggestion, the complainant, through his company Amadiz Global Solutions—which holds a Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency license—purchased a tractor-loader-backhoe JCB 524 for US$35,000 from South Africa, which was imported and is now at Crown Mine in Guru
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