Man Accused of Defrauding US$37k in Truck Hiring D...

Man Accused of Defrauding US$37k in Truck Hiring Deal

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

An alleged fraudster, Kudzai Chingonya, 27, of New Marimba, has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding US$37 340 in a truck hiring deal.

Chingonya appeared before Magistrate Apollonia Marutya at the Harare Magistrates' Court, facing a charge of fraud. He was granted bail of US$200 and is set to appear in court again on January 21.

The State, represented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, claims that between March and July, Chingonya misrepresented himself as a legitimate businessman seeking trucks to hire. The complainant, involved in the transport and logistics business, agreed to enter into a deal with Chingonya on the condition that a deposit would be paid before loading, with the balance to be paid upon delivery of the consignment.

It is alleged that Chingonya then visited Insuburg Company, where he pretended to own trucks and was looking for consignments to load. He contracted the complainant to transport granite rocks from Mutoko, Zimbabwe, to Beira, Mozambique, promising to pay US$1 450 per truck.

The complainant transported several loads as instructed by Chingonya. According to the court, Chingonya paid the deposit before each loading. After the consignment was delivered to Beira, the complainant submitted proof of delivery notes to Chingonya, who allegedly collected the money on behalf of the complainant at Insburg.

The matter came to light when the complainant realized that the balance had not been paid and confiscated some of the consignment. Insburg, the consignee, then contacted the complainant to inquire about the situation. It was at this point that the complainant discovered that Chingonya had been collecting the payment on his behalf and had converted the funds for his own use.

As a result, the complainant was prejudiced of US$37 340.