Man blows employer’s US$5,500 at a sports betting firm in Mabvuku
A man, who works at a local car sales firm, allegedly blew US$5,500, which belonged to his employer, at a sports betting shop in Mabvuku.
Kelvin Menyani was asked to collect US$7,000 by his employer from a client who had bought his trailer.
Instead, it is alleged, Menyani blew a huge chunk of the money at a sports betting shop in Harare.
Menyani, 26, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, charged with theft of trust property.
His employer, Efiat Kodoya, alleged that on Thursday last week, he sold a trailer for US$7,100 while he was outside the country.
He ordered Menyani to receive the money on his behalf.
According to the State, Menyani was directed to deliver US$7,000 to Kodoya’s wife in Newlands and retain US$100 as a reward for facilitating the transaction.
It is alleged that after receiving the money from the buyer, Menyani failed to hand over the funds as instructed.
Kodoya only found out that the money had not been delivered after contacting his wife.
He subsequently tried to reach Menyani, who allegedly became evasive.
Prosecutors allege that on Saturday, Kodoya contacted Menyani’s father and informed him about the missing money.
Family members later located Menyani betting at MWOS Mabvuku, where only US$1,500 was recovered.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Menyani’s arrest.
The State said US$1,500 was recovered. *_-H-Metro_*
15. *Zimbabwean man loses court bid to overturn Home Affairs ban over fake permanent resident permit*
The Western Cape High Court dismissed a Zimbabwean man’s application to extend the 180-day period for reviewing a Home Affairs decision that declared him a prohibited person. Fidel Isheanesu Mugunzva, 40, entered South Africa on a visitor’s visa in 2011.
While seeking employment, he was referred to an immigration agent named Wendy. In 2012, Wendy informed him his name was on a Home Affairs list, suggesting his mother might have applied for him under an amnesty program.
Mugunzva paid Wendy R12,000 and received a permanent resident permit, which he used for eight years, traveling, opening bank accounts, and gaining employment.
In 2018, after losing his permit letter, he applied for proof of permanent residence. On February 26, 2020, Home Affairs informed him the permit number did not exist, the permit was fraudulent, and he was designated a prohibited person.
Mugunzva returned to Zimbabwe in August 2022, claiming he received the Minister’s decision only on November 23, 2023. He argued he was too poor to pursue legal action earlier and never had an opportunity to make representations before being declared a prohibited person.
The court found Home Affairs failed to give him an opportunity to make representations and did not properly investigate whether he knowingly participated in fraud or was a victim.
However, the court ruled that Mugunzva’s excessive delay in bringing the review application outweighed his prospects of success. *_-Baobab Pulse_*
