Zimbabwe: Trial of a suspected fraudster – Allen Thindwa Mzamu, considered to be victim of over R1.2 million has finally kicked off. The trial was allegedly a part of an organized syndicate that would misrepresent to Zimbabwean companies and has free funds to pay suppliers in South Africa in exchange for transfers in local currency and fleeced victims.
The trial was conducted after he attempted to seek a postponement on the basis that his lawyer – Tamutsa Muzana needed time to go through the record and was thrown out.
Reportedly, the application was dismissed by the presiding magistrate – Clever Tsikwa who said that Mzamu had given several excuses for delay, since June 03, 2024.
The Prosecutor – Tendai Tapi led the evidence from the very first witness – Zvakatarwa Makoto, who is the director of Sitaz Health Care (Pvt.) Ltd.
According to the reports, Makoto told the magistrate court that in July 2019, he was referred to Mzamu, who is also known as Mhandu through his workmate Isaac Nhindiri and who is also the operation director for the company.
Makoto indicated that he had free funds in South Africa and was willing to buy the surgicals in South Africa on behalf of the company and he would be paid locally.
He also mentioned that Mzamu continuously inquired from him to find out when he would be ready to make any payment. He then later decided to buy a JCB TLB tractor loader and contacted him on November 28, 2019, when Mzamu confirmed that he had made a payment of R953, 925 for the tractor.
He confirmed the court that all the communication he had with Mzamu was done via WhatsApp.
Makoto further said that the JCB Polokwane confirmed the payment of the said amount through email which prompted him to transfer the amount into a local fraudulently registered CBZ account, that belonged to Doctor Harrington and Associates.
Furthermore, when Makoto released the money, Mzamu immediately recalled the R953, 925, that he had deposited into the JCB Polokwane’s Nedbank account. After that, he used the money to buy United States of America dollars.
The two accused persons transferred the money from the fraudulently registered CBZ bank account to individuals named Devin Sabapwe, Solomom Magodhiyana, Wilfred Takudzwa Kapiya and Tinashe Ngwerume, where the two accused took the turns to collect the US Dollars.
He was further told by the police that Sabapwe, Magodhiyana, Kapiya and Ngwerume were approached by the police and this was led to the arrest of Mzamu and Raymond John.
Following their arrest, detectives searched the motor vehicle that they were using such as an Audi and recovered a CBZ bank card in respect of the card and a Hisense cellphone with an Econet line which was then being used to call as one of the witnesses.
Mzamu’s action actually caused Makoto to suffer a financial prejudice of R953, 925 and nothing was recovered. The trial will continue on Thursday, with another hearing and the State leading evidence from more witnesses.