A BULAWAYO couple has been remanded to December 2 for trial after appearing in court over an alleged US$60 000 fraud involving a fictitious National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) tender.
Stephen Chitofu (51) and Lakidzani Chitofu (46) pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraud when they appeared before regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere last Thursday.
The court heard that the duo, along with an accomplice still at large, allegedly swindled a city woman after convincing her to invest in a non-existent NRZ project.
The prosecution alleged that in February 2023, the complainant, Alves Francis, was introduced to the couple by Maqhawe Mpofu.
Chitofu allegedly presented himself as an NRZ employee who had secured a lucrative tender valued at US$60 000 and needed capital to start the work.
To bolster the deception, Chitofu allegedly offered a house, Number 13 Dent Bernard Road in Waterford, Bulawayo, as security for the investment.
Based on the misrepresentation, Francis reportedly handed over US$60 000 to the accused.
The fraud unravelled when it was discovered that the NRZ tender was fake and the accused had no affiliation to the parastatal.
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A police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the couple.
It was remanded in custody and will return to court on December 2 for continuation of trial.
