Man Arrested for US$7k Coal Scam

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A Mt Hampden man has been dragged to court over allegations of defrauding a coal supplier of US$7 500 in a bogus joint venture deal.

Taurai Shonge appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo facing a charge of fraud. He is expected back in court on June 24, 2025.

According to the State, represented by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu, the complainant, Peteous Ndororwi, was approached by Shonge in January with a business proposal.

Shonge allegedly claimed he had clients in need of coal and suggested a joint venture in which he would source buyers while Ndororwi handled supply. The two reportedly agreed on the arrangement.

On January 24, Shonge allegedly told Ndororwi that Fraiton Farm needed 60 tonnes of coal. Relying on that information, Ndororwi delivered the coal to the farm, with Shonge promising payment would be made within 30 days.

However, when the payment period elapsed, Shonge allegedly became evasive. Upon inquiring with Fraiton Farm, Ndororwi was told the farm had already paid for coal back in October 2024, with the recent delivery fulfilling the outstanding portion of a previous agreement with Shonge.

Realising he had been duped, Ndororwi filed a police report.

Following investigations, Shonge was arrested on May 21. The complainant lost US$7 500 in the scam, and nothing has been recovered.