A COUPLE has appeared in court for allegedly swindling a city woman of US$60 000 through a fake investment scheme linked to a non-existent National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) tender.
Stephen Chitofu (51) and Lakidzani Chitofu (46) pleaded not guilty to a fraud charge when they appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere on Thursday.
They were remanded to December 2 for continuation of trial.
The prosecution alleged that in February 2023, Alves Francis approached Maqhawe Mpofu, who is still at large, seeking investment opportunities worth US$60 000.
Mpofu allegedly introduced her to Stephen and Lakidzani, who falsely claimed that Stephen was employed by NRZ and had secured a lucrative tender valued at US$60 000.
The prosecution told the court that the trio misrepresented that they required capital to kickstart the tender process and convinced the complainant to invest.
To gain her trust, Stephen allegedly claimed ownership of a house, Number 13 Dent Bernard Road, Waterford, Bulawayo, which he pledged purportedly as security.
The complainant later discovered that the house did not belong to him.
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As a result of the misrepresentation, Francis allegedly paid US$60 000 to Stephen and Lakidzani as part of the investment agreement.
It later emerged that the tender did not exist and that the accused were not employed by NRZ, nor did they have any legitimate business transaction with the parastatal.
A police report was made, leading to the arrest of Stephen and Lakidzani.
