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School loses US$10 000 to bogus agents
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Two travel agents have appeared in court on allegations of defrauding Wellton Primary School of more than US$10 000 after claiming they could organise an educational tour to Dubai for the school's learners.
Leslie Simbarashe Gurajena (49) and Evelyn Tawa (47) were arraigned before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo last week facing fraud charges. They were remanded in custody to November 26, pending a bail ruling.
According to prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe, the pair runs a Facebook travel page called Little Travel Tours, which advertises both local and international travel packages.
The court heard that on March 13, 2025, Wellton Primary School, represented by Vimbai Sibanda, contacted the duo after seeing their online advert. The school sought assistance in arranging a Dubai tour scheduled for October 20–26, 2025.
Gurajena allegedly quoted US$18 000 for the package, claiming it would cover visa processing, flights, accommodation and several activities. Tawa was later sent to Beitbridge to formalise the agreement, assuring the school that all services would be delivered as promised.
Relying on these representations, the school reportedly paid the accused a total of US$10 100 in three instalments — US$1 500, US$5 300 and US$3 300 — between June 13 and September 3, 2025. The balance was to be paid once the visas were processed.
However, after receiving the funds, the two allegedly became evasive and stopped responding to calls from the school. When a representative visited them for a follow-up, Gurajena is said to have denied any knowledge of the company, despite having issued the original quotation.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of both suspects. They are expected back in court later this month.
Leslie Simbarashe Gurajena (49) and Evelyn Tawa (47) were arraigned before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo last week facing fraud charges. They were remanded in custody to November 26, pending a bail ruling.
According to prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe, the pair runs a Facebook travel page called Little Travel Tours, which advertises both local and international travel packages.
The court heard that on March 13, 2025, Wellton Primary School, represented by Vimbai Sibanda, contacted the duo after seeing their online advert. The school sought assistance in arranging a Dubai tour scheduled for October 20–26, 2025.
Relying on these representations, the school reportedly paid the accused a total of US$10 100 in three instalments — US$1 500, US$5 300 and US$3 300 — between June 13 and September 3, 2025. The balance was to be paid once the visas were processed.
However, after receiving the funds, the two allegedly became evasive and stopped responding to calls from the school. When a representative visited them for a follow-up, Gurajena is said to have denied any knowledge of the company, despite having issued the original quotation.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of both suspects. They are expected back in court later this month.
Source - The Herald
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