Crime and Courts

SA grain trader dupes Zivhu, Byword R700k

MILLICENT HUNGWE

MASVINGO-Zanu PF member and prominent philanthropist, Killer Zivhu and Byword Motors were allegedly defrauded R712 750 by a South African based grain trader who was working in cahoots with a local accomplice.

Zivhu lost R382 950 while Byword which is owned by Masvingo based prominent industrialist Sternly Kondongwe was duped R329 800 for supply of maize from South Africa in July and May respectively this year.

Manase Manjovha soon after his arrest.

Byword deposited the money into an FNB account 63023025166 on May 28 and the following day dispatched trucks to Schweizer Remeke Silo Company.

The maize was never delivered despite Byword sending trucks to South Africa to collect the 68 tonnes of the staple food.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the alleged local accomplice, Manase Manjovha of Pumula South in Bulawayo in September while the South African based grain trader, Andre Kruger has not been accounted for.

Manase appeared at Masvingo Magistrate Court but was released on bail as the case is still being investigated according to court officials who spoke to The Midweek Watch.

According to state papers in possession of this publication Kondongwe representing Byword fell victim to a scam orchestrated by Manjovha and Kruger through a whatsapp group of registered maize millers.

Manjovha claimed to have a grain silo depot in South Africa and offered favourable prices for maize grain.

In April 2024, the complainant traveled to South Africa, where he met Manjovha and Kruger.

The duo posed as farmers with a grain milling company and transport business.

They exchanged contacts, and the complainant agreed to purchase 68 metric tonnes of maize grain for R329 800.

The complainant transferred the funds into Manjovha’s FNB account (63023025166) on May 28, however, upon dispatching two trucks to collect the maize on May 29, the drivers found that Manjovha and Kruger had switched off their phones.

In the second count on April 9, 2024, Zivhu met Manjovha, at Exor in Masvingo and he was invited to South Africa for a deal to buy maize grain.

Zivhu flew to South Africa on April 18 where met Kruger and Manjovha and a deal to supply maize grain was struck.

 Zivhu and Manjovha signed a memorandum of understanding on April 22 for the supply of grain until December 2024.

On July 1, 2024 Zivhu proceeded to deposit R382 950 into Archery Trucking Pvt Ltd FNB account number 63050075340 of Western Turfontein in Johannesburg and he was promised that the grain will be delivered in seven days.

After the agreed time, Zivhu contacted Kruger and Manjovha but he had been blocked and he flew to South Africa to meet JP Guana, the manager at the Schweizer Remeke Silo Company that he was taken to before entering the deal.

He was advised that the two were just agents and not employed by Schweizer Remeke Silo Company.

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