Chicks deal goes sour

A LOCAL poultry distributor, who allegedly duped his client and delivered road runner chicks instead of broilers after pocketing $2 700, has been arraigned before the courts.

Joseph Maronga (44) of Chikanga was charged with fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

He denied the fraud charges when he appeared before Mutare magistrate Ms Perseverance Makala last week.

In his defence, Maronga said he was just an employee and was simply carrying out his boss' instructions.

He further told the court that he had not pocketed the payment but had given it to his employer.

Allegations are that on December 7, 2017, the complainant, Clifford Mujoko, approached Maronga at his workplace looking for day-old broiler chicks.

"Maronga then told Mujoko that he was selling 1 100 broiler chicks for $1 300, which the complainant then paid for in cash.

"Later in December, Maronga then sent his driver to deliver the supposed broiler chicks to Mujoko's farm in Zaka, Masvingo.

"On January 15, however, Mujoko was then advised by his worker in Zaka that the chicks that had been delivered were not broiler chicks but road runners since they were not growing well. They were also dying since they were using broiler mash to feed them, which is not suitable for road runners.

"As a result they had lost 700 birds," said Mr Karombe.

The complainant then approached Maronga and adviseed him of the condition of the supplied birds. Maronga referred him to a third party whom he said was his employer.

The complainant reported the matter to the police who arrested Maronga.

Maronga was remanded out of custody to today for trial.