News / Local
Zanu-PF councillor in trouble for defrauding vendors
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Josiah Mutangi, the Zanu PF councillor for Ward 1 in Bulawayo, and his alleged accomplice, Janet Zhou, appeared in court on Thursday to answer charges of defrauding 14 vendors out of US$200 each.
Mutangi (49) and Zhou (44) were granted bail of US$400 each by Bulawayo Magistrate Shepherd Mjanja. The pair will return to court on February 27 to face the charges.
According to court records, the two are accused of duping the 14 vendors with promises of vending bays in Bulawayo's central business district. In February last year, Mutangi and Zhou allegedly met with the vendors at the corner of 5th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street, where they falsely claimed to have available vending spaces.
The vendors, believing the two, paid US$200 each for the bays. However, the pair reportedly failed to fulfill their promises and never provided the agreed-upon vending spaces.
The 14 victims, including Chishamiso Chihota, subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Mutangi and Zhou. However, the court was informed that none of the US$2,800 collected from the vendors was recovered.
The alleged fraud has raised concerns about corruption and abuse of power, particularly involving a local government official, and has left the vendors facing losses while still without access to vending spaces.
Both Mutangi and Zhou are facing serious charges, and the case will continue to unfold as investigations proceed.
Mutangi (49) and Zhou (44) were granted bail of US$400 each by Bulawayo Magistrate Shepherd Mjanja. The pair will return to court on February 27 to face the charges.
According to court records, the two are accused of duping the 14 vendors with promises of vending bays in Bulawayo's central business district. In February last year, Mutangi and Zhou allegedly met with the vendors at the corner of 5th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street, where they falsely claimed to have available vending spaces.
The vendors, believing the two, paid US$200 each for the bays. However, the pair reportedly failed to fulfill their promises and never provided the agreed-upon vending spaces.
The 14 victims, including Chishamiso Chihota, subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Mutangi and Zhou. However, the court was informed that none of the US$2,800 collected from the vendors was recovered.
The alleged fraud has raised concerns about corruption and abuse of power, particularly involving a local government official, and has left the vendors facing losses while still without access to vending spaces.
Both Mutangi and Zhou are facing serious charges, and the case will continue to unfold as investigations proceed.
Source - newsday
