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Thubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A WARRANT of arrest has been issued against one of the two Zanu-PF youth members in Bulawayo who allegedly   forged the party’s letterheads to defraud a Chinese businessman of $70 which they claimed were for a Provincial Youth Conference.Magistrate Evelyn Mashavuke issued the warrant of arrest against Blessed Mashando, 24, after he failed to turn up for continuation of trial yesterday in which he and an accomplice are facing charges of fraud.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges on their initial appearances two weeks ago.

Andrew Manjoro, 26, of Famona suburb in Bulawayo and Mashando are being accused of swindling Davy Huang, 32, owner of China City Wholesale using documents they said were from Bulawayo Zanu-PF headquarters.

Prosecuting, Sibusiso Mthombeni alleges that on September 30 the two men connived and wrote a letter with a Zanu-PF letterhead appealing for donations to host a Provincial Youth Conference from October 2 to 5 this year.

“On the same day the duo approached China City Wholesale situated at Lobengula Street and 10th Avenue, Bulawayo and presented the donation letter to Davy Huang owner of the shop,” said Mthombeni.

Huang instructed them to come on the following day to collect the money.

He instructed one of his employers’ to call the phone number on the letter to confirm if Manjoro and Mashando had indeed been sent by Zanu-PF.

The court heard that it emerged the letter did not emanate from the Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial headquarters and there was no Provincial Youth Conference on the cards.

A trap was set by detectives and Manjoro and Mashando were arrested at the scene and $70 was recovered.