Transport tycoon Mr Leonard Mukumba allegedly lost US$147,000 after investing in a close friend’s business.
Mr Mukumba, who runs a fleet of buses, later discovered this After his friend won two bids, he transferred the payments.
The trial of Peter Gundu (33) is being heard before Harare Regional Magistrate Ms Verisi Chakanyuka. He confirmed that Mr. Mukumba made his way into the company through a small loan that was repaid long ago.
Gundu, Mr Mukumba’s church colleague, is accused of diverting money paid by the Zimbabwe Power Corporation (ZPC) for a security tender, without his business partner’s knowledge.
Mr Mukumba did not know until all the money had been taken from his bank account, even though he was a signatory to their business account.
Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyando told the court that Mr Mukumba, Gondo and his wife Diana Chigonga in 2020 were directors of Petridia Security (Private) Ltd, a company specializing in the provision of cyber security facilities.
The court heard that on 11 January 2022, the company entered into a contract with ZPC to install and operate a monitoring system at the Hwange Power Station for a total price of US$55,000. A few months later, on April 26, 2022, the company entered into another contract with ZPC to install and operate a monitoring system at the Hwange Power Plant for a total price of US$92,960.
In March 2022 and July 2022, ZPC settled its accounts with Petridia in relation to the two contracts, but Gundo lied to Mr Mukumba, saying ZPC had not made any payments.
Gundu went further and allegedly removed Mr. Mukumba from managing the company and from signing its bank account without his consent and knowledge. The crime was uncovered when Mr Mukumba followed up and was told that ZPC had paid in full for the two contracts, a position which was also confirmed by the bank.
As a result, Mr Mukumba suffered damages totaling US$147,960.
On the other hand, Gundo denied these accusations, insisting that Mr. Mukumba was trying to force himself to join a company he founded with his wife and they only borrowed US$5,000 from him to finance their business.
In his defence, Gundo claims that the agreement was that he would cease his position as a director once the debts were settled and after they were settled he removed Mr Mukumba from the position of director.
Mr Mukumba, who is still on the witness stand, told the court that he had no documentary evidence to support his case because he blindly trusted his friend.
Gondo’s lawyer, Oliver Mroue, issued a bank affidavit stating that the company was established in 2017 with only Gondo and Chigonga as directors.
During questioning, Mr. Mukumba said he had been dismissed from the company illegally and insisted that he owned 50 percent of the company’s shares, as per their oral agreement.
“I was supposed to get a 50% share of the profits from this contract. I was supposed to take the $80,000 I invested in the business first and then share the profits.
“I trusted him. He would tell me how much he needed every time and then I would give him the money and do all the paperwork.
Mr. Mukumba said that all the documents that Gundu presented before the court were fabricated because he was part of the company.
The trial is expected to continue tomorrow. Announce
