News / National
Harare travel agency implicated in scam
11 hrs ago | Views
A Harare travel agency, Five Bulls Leisure, its director Tichatonga Mudzonga (55), and employee Eve Tsvangira (29), have been accused of defrauding a client of US$17,364 through a fraudulent holiday package. The trio appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs. Letwin Rwodzi on Saturday, where they were granted bail pending their next court appearance on January 27.
Prosecutor Mr. Loveti Muringwa revealed that the complainant first encountered the agency in February 2023 through an advertisement on Facebook, which presented Five Bulls Leisure as a legitimate travel service provider.
Seeking a holiday package for eight people on a cruise from Durban, South Africa, to Japan via Mozambique, the complainant visited the agency's offices in Belvedere, Harare. Mudzonga and Tsvangira assured her they could facilitate the trip, quoting US$12,377 for the cruise and US$4,987 for air tickets.
Between February 12 and September 28, the complainant paid the total amount in six installments. Receipts were issued in the agency's name by Tsvangira.
On September 28, the complainant requested an update on the bookings and was assured by Mudzonga that the cruise was confirmed with MSC Cruise Ship Company. He promised to provide confirmation tickets and proof of payment shortly.
However, as the departure date of December 23 drew near, only the air tickets, valued at US$4,987, were provided. Despite multiple inquiries, no confirmation of the cruise booking was forthcoming.
Unsatisfied with the agency's explanations, the complainant contacted MSC directly. She discovered that while some cruise bookings had been made, no payments were completed, resulting in cancellations. Moreover, some members of her group had never been booked at all.
MSC informed her that the booking window closed on November 20, leaving no chance to salvage the trip.
The court heard that Mudzonga and Tsvangira allegedly converted the funds for personal use. When questioned by the complainant, they became evasive, leading her to report the matter to the police.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the risks associated with online holiday bookings and the importance of verifying travel agencies before making payments. The accused are expected to defend themselves against fraud charges when the trial resumes in January.
Prosecutor Mr. Loveti Muringwa revealed that the complainant first encountered the agency in February 2023 through an advertisement on Facebook, which presented Five Bulls Leisure as a legitimate travel service provider.
Seeking a holiday package for eight people on a cruise from Durban, South Africa, to Japan via Mozambique, the complainant visited the agency's offices in Belvedere, Harare. Mudzonga and Tsvangira assured her they could facilitate the trip, quoting US$12,377 for the cruise and US$4,987 for air tickets.
Between February 12 and September 28, the complainant paid the total amount in six installments. Receipts were issued in the agency's name by Tsvangira.
On September 28, the complainant requested an update on the bookings and was assured by Mudzonga that the cruise was confirmed with MSC Cruise Ship Company. He promised to provide confirmation tickets and proof of payment shortly.
Unsatisfied with the agency's explanations, the complainant contacted MSC directly. She discovered that while some cruise bookings had been made, no payments were completed, resulting in cancellations. Moreover, some members of her group had never been booked at all.
MSC informed her that the booking window closed on November 20, leaving no chance to salvage the trip.
The court heard that Mudzonga and Tsvangira allegedly converted the funds for personal use. When questioned by the complainant, they became evasive, leading her to report the matter to the police.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the risks associated with online holiday bookings and the importance of verifying travel agencies before making payments. The accused are expected to defend themselves against fraud charges when the trial resumes in January.
Source - The Herald
