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Ex-Bosso CEO to stand trial over US$2 000 fraud
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Bulawayo Magistrate Richard Ramaboea has dismissed an application for discharge by former Highlanders Football Club chief executive officer Brian Busani Moyo, who faces allegations of defrauding the club of nearly US$2 000.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ramaboea described it as "scandalous" to acquit Moyo at this stage, stating that the former CEO must stand trial and prove his innocence. A visibly distressed Moyo was seen leaning on the dock's edges during the proceedings. He was represented in court by Thamani Ncube of Wallace Law Chambers.
The magistrate noted that it would be improper to discharge Moyo without credible explanations for discrepancies between Highlanders FC receipts and the Memorandum of Understanding held by Bulawayo Chiefs. Corroborating testimony from three State witnesses — former Bulawayo Chiefs administrator Andrew Mandigora, Highlanders FC treasurer Nkani Khoza, and Bulawayo Chiefs president Lovemore Sibanda — suggested that Moyo conspired with Mandigora to defraud Highlanders, allegedly pocketing US$2 000 from the deal.
Magistrate Ramaboea also highlighted that Moyo, through his lawyer, had refused to allow Sibanda to retrieve the relevant receipts and Memorandum of Understanding to prove that Bulawayo Chiefs had indeed received US$18 000. The case will now proceed to the defence phase on September 3.
The matter revolves around the December 2024 transfer of two players from Bulawayo Chiefs FC to Highlanders FC — striker Never Rauzhi and midfielder Malvern Hativagoni. Initial negotiations placed Rauzhi's fee at US$25 000 and Hativagoni's loan fee at US$15 000, but the first deal collapsed. After re-negotiations, the clubs agreed on US$13 000 for Rauzhi and US$1 000 for Hativagoni, with Highlanders executive approval and dual signatures required for payment withdrawals.
Mandigora, who has already pleaded guilty to fraud and been sentenced, revealed that he and Moyo inflated the amount Highlanders paid to US$23 000 while informing Bulawayo Chiefs that the deal was worth US$18 000. The US$5 000 difference was allegedly divided between Mandigora, who took US$3 000, and Moyo, who received US$2 000.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ramaboea described it as "scandalous" to acquit Moyo at this stage, stating that the former CEO must stand trial and prove his innocence. A visibly distressed Moyo was seen leaning on the dock's edges during the proceedings. He was represented in court by Thamani Ncube of Wallace Law Chambers.
The magistrate noted that it would be improper to discharge Moyo without credible explanations for discrepancies between Highlanders FC receipts and the Memorandum of Understanding held by Bulawayo Chiefs. Corroborating testimony from three State witnesses — former Bulawayo Chiefs administrator Andrew Mandigora, Highlanders FC treasurer Nkani Khoza, and Bulawayo Chiefs president Lovemore Sibanda — suggested that Moyo conspired with Mandigora to defraud Highlanders, allegedly pocketing US$2 000 from the deal.
The matter revolves around the December 2024 transfer of two players from Bulawayo Chiefs FC to Highlanders FC — striker Never Rauzhi and midfielder Malvern Hativagoni. Initial negotiations placed Rauzhi's fee at US$25 000 and Hativagoni's loan fee at US$15 000, but the first deal collapsed. After re-negotiations, the clubs agreed on US$13 000 for Rauzhi and US$1 000 for Hativagoni, with Highlanders executive approval and dual signatures required for payment withdrawals.
Mandigora, who has already pleaded guilty to fraud and been sentenced, revealed that he and Moyo inflated the amount Highlanders paid to US$23 000 while informing Bulawayo Chiefs that the deal was worth US$18 000. The US$5 000 difference was allegedly divided between Mandigora, who took US$3 000, and Moyo, who received US$2 000.
Source - The Chronicle
