Clumsy deals land Academy owner in court

Michael Mashiri

City Football owner has appeared in court accused of defrauding more than US$9 000 after allegedly convincing people that he was a Manchester City Soccer Academy agent.

Four complainants in this matter discovered that they had been swindled following their travel to Dubai where the trial was being done and were informed they had fake invitations.

Agripa Guti appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with four counts of fraud.

He was remanded out of custody to February 29, since he was coming from home.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that in 2021, the complainant Justice Nyevhe wanted his son to attend football trials overseas.

During the same year Nyevhe met with Guti at Alexandra Sports Club, since he owns City Football Academy.

The State alleges that he lied to Nyevhe that he was able to facilitate for his son to go to Manchester City Football Club for trials in Dubai.

The court was informed Guti lied that the trials were due to be held between June 2021 and March 2023.

Nyevhe paid him US$2 500 for the whole programme.

In June last year, Guti gave Nyevhe a, invitation letter, confirming that his son had been invited for trials by Manchester City Football Club.

It is alleged that the three went to the event in August 2023, however it was discovered that Guti invitation letter was fraudulent.

The Manchester club distanced itself from the Guti’s invitation letter, stating that the logo on the letter was fake.

Nyevhe realised he was being duped after Guti had made several promises to refund but failed, leading to the matter being reported to the police.

The State also alleges that, Guti defrauded another complainant, Didymus Mandinenga in 2021, who wanted his son to go for football trials abroad.

Mandinenga met Guti at Alexander Sports Club and was told to pay US$930 for the whole programme at Manchester City Football Club Youth Training Facilities.

He was told that the training would run between June 2021 and March 2023.

In June 2023, Guti allegedly gave Mandinenga an invitation letter, confirming that his son had been invited for trials by Manchester City Football Club.

They travelled to Dubai where trials were being done and the officials disowned the Manchester City logo, which was on the invitation letter.

This is when they discovered that they had been defrauded.

Guti promised to refund him but nothing materialised, leading Mandinenga to file a report with the police.

The also alleges that Guti used the same way to defraud Egton Tsuronzuma, who wanted his son to have trial with Manchester City Football Club and was made to pay US$3 800.

Another complainant, Cuthbert Cornelius Chitima, who also wanted his child to go for trials at the European football club, lost US$2 000, which was the alleged payment for the whole programme in Dubai.