The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
TWO Harare-based men allegedly defrauded Chipinge Town Council of US$62 000 in a botched water bowser deal.
Tatenda Matsikidze (27) of Belvedere, Harare, and Johane Kamanga (49) of Borrowdale, Harare, allegedly connived to defraud Chipinge Town Council after the local authority flighted a tender for a water bowser.
Matsikidze is employed as a salesman for ESP Capital Equipment Private Limited, trading as Earth Loaders Spare Parts, Capital Equipment and Construction; while Kamanga is the company’s director and corporate secretary.
Matsikidze and Kamanga recently appeared before Chipinge regional magistrate, Mr Noel Mupeiwa, facing fraud charges.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded out of custody on ZWL1 million bail each.
Mr Brian Sithole of Makuwaza and Gwamanda Attorneys represented Matsikidze and Kamanga.
Prosecuting, Mr Themba Dhliwayo said sometime in February last year, the duo connived to defraud Chipinge Town Council.
“On February 4, 2022, among other bidders, the two responded to a motorised water bowser tender invitation flighted by Chipinge Town Council.
“The two accused persons misrepresented to the council that they had a new water bowser at Manica Bonded Warehouse in Bulawayo and charged the local authority US$125 000 (ZWL16 750 250) when they knew very well that they had no such property in the warehouse.
“Due to the misrepresentation, the accused were awarded the tender,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
It is alleged that on March 22, 2022, Matsikidze and Kamanga asked the council to make 50 percent payment of the water bowser. They purported that the money was for duty payment and part payment of the water bowser.
“On the same day, Chipinge Town Council transferred ZWL8 380 125 (US$62 276) into the accused persons’ account using the official exchange rate of that day.
“Upon receiving the payment, Kamanga, as the sole bank signatory of the company, withdrew the money and converted it to his personal use. The duo never delivered the water bowser to the council,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
Several efforts were made for the water bowser to be delivered, all to no avail.
The total value lost is US$62 276 and nothing was recovered.
End.
