Mutendi loses US$350k to Gutu

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Correspondent

A man from Madokero Estates, Comfort Gutu, 28, who allegedly defrauded US$350 000 from his business partner, has been arraigned before the courts.

Gutu appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud and was granted US$500 bail.

He will appear in court on July 29.

The complainant in this matter is Melody Mutendi.

The State alleges that sometime in 2021, Mutendi had an agreement with Gutu to set up Medlife Pharmacy in Gokwe.

A partnership agreement was drawn up between the two and the agreement was that Mutendi was to fund the whole project but as for equity Mutendi would get 49% while Gutu was to get 51%.

It is alleged that Mutendi injected US$19 000 through transfer into Gutu’s account.

The business commenced well and after three years, it declined.

Mutendi investigated and discovered that Gutu had opened two other competing pharmacies, Nu Centre and Afrihelp in the same area without approval and knowledge of Mutendi.

It is alleged that Gutu opened two other pharmacies through drawing stock from Medlife Pharmacy, crippling the pharmacy in the process.

The court also heard that Gutu lied to Mutendi that some money from the pharmacy had been used to pay taxes at Zimra yet there were no taxes paid.

As a result, Mutendi lost US$350 000.