Published by the government of Zimbabwe
13 November 2009
Harare — A businesswoman and her male accomplice who allegedly swindled a Bulawayo man of R78 000 have appeared in court facing fraud charges.
Zelda Esther Ferry (49) and Gary Tafadzwa Jinya (age not given) appeared before Harare magistrate, Mr Archie Wochiunga, who remanded them out of custody on US$200 bail coupled with stringent conditions to November 11 this year.
Outlining the State's case, prosecutor, Ms Tinashe Kanyemba, told the court that sometime in October this year, the pair placed an advert in a local newspaper purporting that they were selling a chemical called ephedrine hydrochloride, which is used in the manufacture of medical drugs.
It is alleged Kurai Waza responded to the advert and asked to see a sample.
The pair, the State says, gave him a genuine sample and Waza subsequently placed an order for 5kgs of the chemical.
On November 5, he went to Ferry's office to purchase the chemical and found Jinya there.
The pair allegedly introduced Waza to a man they called "Chief" and said he was their supplier.
Jinya, the State contends, told the complainant the chemical was being sold for US$2 000 per kg.
Waza allegedly paid R78 000 at a rate of US$1 to R7,8.
After receiving the money, it is further alleged, the three went into another room and left the complainant behind.
After about five minutes Ferry returned after her two accomplices had left the building using a back door.
Ferry told the complainant that Jinya and "Chief" had escaped and pretended that the pair had also deceived her.
The complainant searched her offices and found R12 500, which was part of the money he had paid and immediately suspected that the three were trying to con him and had shared the money.
He made a police report leading to their arrest.
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