Arron Nyamayaro
A MARLBOROUGH man lost nearly US$2000 in a botched borehole drilling deal.
Shepherd Muzondo, 38, responded on an advert from Bluesun Borehole Company on Facebook which c laimed the company drills and installs boreholes sometime in June.
He contacted Tinashe Kufa, 23, and Takunda Kufa, 40, both of Concession.
He was referred to a third party and paid US$80 for the service in Bluffhill area.
A site report was given to Shepherd and he gave it to Tinashe and Takunda for them to start drilling as per their agreement.
The two advised Shepherd on June 22 that they were at the site ready to start.
They took some site photographs and advised Shepherd that the ground was too loose and shaky and, therefore, needed double casing.
The two were given authority to continue working at the agreed amount of US$1 990, which they were paid.
However, no work was done.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case and said Tinashe and Takunda were now facing fraud charges.
“Police are investigating a fraud case involving two suspects of Concession,” said Insp Chakanza.
“The accused persons failed to do the job as per agreement and were giving empty promises.
“The complainant later discovered that the accused persons were not working for Bluesun Company,” he said.
In another reported fraud case, Wilson Maenzanisa, 37, of Greendale lost US$421 to an unidentified suspect who misrepresented to the complainant that he owned a house which he was renting.
He didn’t own a house and made the complainant pay rent for a house which does not exist.
After receiving the payment, the accused was no longer reachable.
Insp Chakanza said police were also investigating another fraud case where Godwin Musoro, 38, of Tynwald was allegedly duped US$770 by Samson Hwata of Stoneridge.
“The accused persons and the complainant are strangers.
“The accused person, who was employed as a managing director, did some bookings without the company approval at Holiday Inn and Cresta Lodge for US$770,” said Insp Chakanza.