News / National
Rugare Gumbo swindled in a botched deal
10 Nov 2014 at 07:39hrs | Views
A 53-YEAR-OLD Gweru man, Chari Karimbura, appeared in court last week charged with swindling Zanu-PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo of $4 000 in a botched excavator spare parts deal.
Karimbura, who pleaded guilty to the fraud charge when he appeared before magistrate Judith Taruvinga was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, with eight months suspended on condition that he pays restitution.
The remaining four months were also suspended for two years on condition of good behaviour.
In his defence, Karimbura told the court that he abused the money given to him to import the spare parts after his trip to South Africa cost him more than he had anticipated.
"My stay and travel there was expensive because it took longer than I had planned and I had set my number on roaming, which made phone calls expensive," Karimbura said.
"I am a God-fearing man, but I do not know what had happened to me."
The court heard that Gumbo gave the money to Karimbura in August this year after the latter promised to supply the spares within a week.
When the promised time elapsed, Gumbo contacted Karimbura, but the accused gave numerous excuses and later became evasive.
Gumbo then made a report to the police, leading to Karimbura's arrest.
Daniel Tafuma represented the State.
Karimbura, who pleaded guilty to the fraud charge when he appeared before magistrate Judith Taruvinga was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, with eight months suspended on condition that he pays restitution.
The remaining four months were also suspended for two years on condition of good behaviour.
In his defence, Karimbura told the court that he abused the money given to him to import the spare parts after his trip to South Africa cost him more than he had anticipated.
"My stay and travel there was expensive because it took longer than I had planned and I had set my number on roaming, which made phone calls expensive," Karimbura said.
"I am a God-fearing man, but I do not know what had happened to me."
The court heard that Gumbo gave the money to Karimbura in August this year after the latter promised to supply the spares within a week.
When the promised time elapsed, Gumbo contacted Karimbura, but the accused gave numerous excuses and later became evasive.
Gumbo then made a report to the police, leading to Karimbura's arrest.
Daniel Tafuma represented the State.
Source - newsday
