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Former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s 21-year-old son Christian allegedly lost close to R550 000 in a botched grocery supply deal.
The suspects Jethro Mubaiwa (32) and Jonathan Mbunga (25) appeared before Harare Magistrate Ethel Chichera, who remanded them in custody. Kasukuwere and Mbunga reportedly know each other in social circles.
It is the State’s case that on July 30 last year, Christian wanted to buy groceries from South Africa and engaged Mbunga, who indicated that he knew Mubaiwa who could assist.
On the same day, Mubaiwa phoned the complainant assuring him that he was into the business of supplying groceries from South Africa.
Mbunga allegedly informed Christian that Mubaiwa had a South African FNB Bank account to deposit the money for groceries.
It is alleged that on the same date, Christian instructed Albert Chari, who is his father’s employee based in South Africa, to transfer R544 500 to Mubaiwa’s South African bank account. After transferring the money, Kasukuwere reportedly forwarded copies of proof of payment to Mbunga via the WhatsApp platform.
Mbunga allegedly later confirmed that Mubaiwa had received the money.
Kasukuwere was reportedly advised that the groceries would be delivered within the next three days.
Kasukuwere is reported to have then requested to meet both Mbunga and Mubaiwa to discuss importation modalitie,s and the two allegedly agreed to the meeting which was to be held at Belvedere Square in Harare.
At Belvedere Square, Mbunga formally introduced Mubaiwa to Kasukuwere.
It is, however, alleged that during the conversation, a misunderstanding arose leading to Mbunga and Mubaiwa opting to reverse the deal and offering to pay back US$33 000 which was equivalent to ZAR544 500 to Kasukuwere.
Mbunga and Mubaiwa reportedly disembarked from Kasukuwere’s vehicle, allegedly pretending to be going to collect the said US$33 000 from their vehicle, but the duo suddenly drove away.
Kasukuwere, after realising that he had been duped, made a police report.
Investigations established that the account which was used to receive the stolen money belonged to Mubaiwa’s elder brother, Admire Mubaiwa, who is already on remand on similar charges.
The total value that Kasukuwere was allegedly prejudiced of is R544 500 and nothing was recovered.