TWO Bulawayo based men appeared in court this week facing charges of defrauding a local liquor company, Turkey (Pvt) Ltd, of $30 000 after demanding the money to facilitate the release of the firm’s truck that had been impounded at Beitbridge border post.
BY SILAS NKALA
Nkululeko Ncube and, Blessed Gumbo pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before magistrate, Merilyn Mutshina, who remanded them to Friday next week on $1 000 bail each.
According to the State’s case, Ncube and Gumbo allegedly cheated the managing director of Turkey (Pvt) Ltd, Himesh Dulabh, to give them $30 000 to fast-track the release of the company’s truck.
But, in his defence Ncube told the court he received R30 000 not $30 000 as alleged by Dulabh.
However, prosecutor Danmore Kasenza, Dulabh and other State witnesses insisted the pair was given $30 000.
Kasenza told the court that on December 23 last year, the company imported beer from South Africa and cleared it under bill of entry number C93285 at Beitbridge border post.
However, Zimra officials impounded the company’s truck on the grounds that it had been used in smuggling of a similar consignment before.
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The pair then reportedly got wind of the development and offered to assist the company in recovering its truck.
It is alleged the pair demanded $30 000 from the firm claiming it would be used to pay customs levies and Zimra officials but after receiving the cash, it is alleged the two men converted it to their own use.
The State alleges the company officials later discovered they had been duped and reported the matter to police leading to the pair’s arrest.
