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Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
FIVE people have appeared in court for allegedly scamming more than $29 000 from a Bulawayo businessman.

Alice Chekwa (39), Worsely Mwaenga (36), Tungamirai Gotora (33), Obey Chidzamwa from Harare and Margaret Magureyi (41) of Mutare allegedly connived to con Mr John Harrison, the owner of Harrison and Hughson Private Limited Company, promising that they were going to purchase goods from South Africa on his behalf.

The five accused were allegedly working in cahoots with two accomplices in South Africa, who are still at large.

The court heard that last month, the accused persons asked him to deposit $29 220 into their account, to facilitate the purchase of the required goods in the neighbouring country.

The quintet was represented by three lawyers, Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu legal Practitioners, Mr Lison Ncube of Majwabu and Nyoni Legal Practitioners and Mr Evam Mutandiro of Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Associates, who wanted their clients to be granted bail.

The five appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeuri on Thursday facing a fraud charge.

Ms Mbeuri granted the five bail of $150 each on condition that they will not interfere with State witnesses and continue residing at the addresses they gave police officers.

They will return to court on January 26 next year.

Prosecuting Ms Leean Nkomo said at the beginning of November, the accused persons acting as a syndicate and in connivance with Kunda Naomi and Chris Chiyangwa who are still at large offered help to Mr Harrison.

“They were offering a scheme where they could pay cash for goods for a Zimbabwean importer in South Africa and the Zimbabwean importer will then be directed to channel the equivalent cash to the accused people’s bank account,” she said.

“The complainant made orders and deposited $22 257 into Magureyi`s bank account. The complainant further deposited $6 963 after one week for the goods. The accused persons converted the money to their own use,” said Ms Nkomo.

The prosecutor said on November 16, the complainant realised he had been duped and reported the matter to the police.

— @cynthiamthembo1