Clearing Agent in Court Over US$25k fraud

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Court Correspondent

A clearing agent has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding a client of US$25,000 in a failed shipping clearance deal.

Wellington Kasalaweka, 38, was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with theft of trust property.

The complainant, Kuda Zhanje, had 14 containers shipped from Dubai via Beira, Mozambique, to Harare in December 2024. He engaged Kasalaweka for port clearance and transportation.

On December 14, Kasalaweka allegedly sent an associate, Denzel Sabao, to Zhanje’s workplace, where he collected US$15,950 as part of the clearance fee. He was issued a receipt and signed an acknowledgment of receipt.

On December 28, Kasalaweka personally collected US$15,000 for advance duty clearance and was issued a receipt.

On January 3, 2025, he allegedly sent Sabao to collect an additional US$4,100 for duty clearance, followed by another personal collection of US$4,500 for port clearance.

Later, he received a duty top-up of US$31,000 at Zhanje’s workplace, also acknowledging receipt.

Despite these payments, only 10 of the 14 containers were delivered to Harare. Upon verification, Zhanje discovered that three containers were still held at Forbes Border Post due to unpaid clearance fees, while the remaining container was at the Divine Path Transport workshop, awaiting payment for transport.

Investigations revealed that Kasalaweka had allegedly converted US$25,000 meant for clearance and transportation to his personal use.

The matter is still before the courts.