A HARARE businessman lost US$30 000 to bogus gold dealers who tricked him into believing that they had supplied him with legit 1,3kg gold amalgam.
Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday remanded Tawanda Makoni (28), from Domboshava, in custody to today for bail ruling.
However, during bail application, Makoni’s defence lawyer Trymore Rukwanda of Pundu and Company Legal Practitioners told the court that his client was severely assaulted by people who apprehended him.
Rukwanda further submitted that Makoni was over-detained by the police.
He told the court that Makoni was not the one who was in contact with the complainant, hence chances of interferences were limited.
Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira, however, opposed bail, arguing that Makoni was a flight risk.
He said if Makoni was released on bail, he would jeopardise ongoing investigations as he would interfere with State witnesses.
Chanakira further submitted that Makoni could team up with his accomplices and a commit similar offence.
- Environmental justice: Think big, start small
- News in depth: Slain Moreblessing Ali’s family fears cover-up as children are forced into hiding
- Afrophobic attacks expose ANC
- Revealed: ‘Killer’ was not Moreblessing Ali’s lover
Keep Reading
It is alleged that last Friday, Makoni and his two suspected accomplices made fake gold amalgam using battery cells.
Makoni allegedly masqueraded to Pedzerayi Magoto that he was a miner, who operates from Kadoma.
He told the unsuspecting Magoto that they were selling gold ore weighing 1 332 grammes.
It is further alleged that the three met Magoto at Nyabira shops and he paid US$30 000 for the gold amalgam ore.
The other accused persons were left with the money, while Makoni accompanied Magoto to Harare to collect an outstanding balance of US$12 000.
The court heard that along the way, Makoni jumped off Magoto’s vehicle and bolted, but the complainant gave chase and managed to apprehend him with the assistance of the public.
Out of suspicion, Magoto checked the gold amalgam and discovered that he had been scammed.
He took Makoni to ZRP Harare Central Police together with the fake gold amalgam ore, where he filed a report.
