Harare — Suspected fraudster and CH marketing director Takesure Chingono was yesterday back in court facing fresh charges of swindling farmers of maize worth over US$80 000 after allegedly misrepresenting that he was an agent for non-governmental organisations.

Chingono (31) was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Mr Archie Wochiunga, who remanded him out of custody to November 28 this year.

His lawyer Mr Stephen Rugwaro of Baera and Company, successfully applied to have the new charges married to those he was already facing in the same court.

He told the court that the charges were not "new but additional ones".

Outlining the State's case, Mrs Phillis Zvenyika said sometime in August this year Chingono placed an advert in The Herald that he was buying maize for NGOs at US$300 per tonne.

This was above the US$265 offered by the Grain Marketing Board.

It is alleged that companies and individuals approached him and he made them sign supplier's agreements, promising in turn to pay them within five days of delivery.

Chingono allegedly told the suppliers to deliver the maize at various places.

The State says Chingono did not pay for the maize delivered to him and kept giving the suppliers excuses on the delays.

He was reported to the police leading to his arrest. Police investigations revealed that Chingono had sold the maize to third parties who had fully paid him, it is alleged.

As a result, he allegedly prejudiced the farmers of more than US$80 000.