Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent
A 48-year-old man has appeared in court accused of swindling US$23,000 from an American seeking business opportunity in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Gideon Mugadza appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing fraud charges. He was granted US$200 bail.
The complainant, George Edward Brown, is currently in Zimbabwe on a tourist visa.
The State alleges that in May 2023, Brown arrived from the United States to explore investment opportunities in Zimbabwe, particularly in the mining sector. He was introduced to Mugadza by the late Cohen Hamandishe Maramwidze, a Black Jewish community leader in Zimbabwe.
Brown and his wife, also members of the American Jewish community, shared cultural and religious ties with Mugadza and the late Maramwidze.
Mugadza allegedly arranged a meeting with Brown, during which they agreed that Brown would invest in a company called Zoe Nest Foods Private Limited. The company was purportedly set to specialise in the production of sweets, a venture that would help Brown secure an investment-based residence permit through the Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority.
Mugadza promised to incorporate Brown as one of the company’s directors once he obtained the investment visa. However, no formal written agreement was signed.
Between August 27 and September 2023, Mugadza allegedly received a total of US$19,000 and an additional US$4,300 from Brown for the proposed investment.
Instead of using the funds for the agreed purpose, Mugadza allegedly converted the money to his personal use. When Brown attempted to follow up on the progress of the investment, Mugadza became evasive and eventually unreachable.
Realising he had been defrauded, Brown filed a police report.
The total value lost is US$23,300, and nothing has been recovered to date.
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