Politician loses $65k to ZCTU consultant

ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) social investments and development consultant Vimbai Eva Mushongera appeared in court yesterday facing charges of swindling presidential candidate and businessman Joseph Makamba Busha’s trust of $65 000.

Mushongera appeared before Harare magistrate, Learnmore Mapiye charged with fraud.  He was released on $300 bail. The complainant  JM Busha 54 Races Trust was represented by Busha in his capacity as its founder.

The court heard that sometime in 2016, Mushongera was appointed as a trustee for the organisation It is alleged that she was tasked to assist the secretariat to run the affairs of organisation and to also be the country’s representative.

The court heard that Mushongera was not entitled to a salary but a US$100 allowance per sitting as his remuneration. It is alleged that in March this year, Mushongera hatched a plan to defraud the trust. Pursuant to her plan she allegedly crafted a letter of appointment purporting to have been authored by Busha.

The letter highlighted the nature of her duties, and remuneration of US$2 500 per month. The court heard that Mushongera also forged e-mails, purporting to have been sent to her by Busha to acknowledging that he owed her US$65 000.

Unaware that the documents were fake, Mushongera’s lawyers prepared a letter of demand which they submitted to Busha claiming US$65 000 on behalf of their client.

Busha then scrutinised the documents and unearthed the misrepresentation. He reported the matter to the police leading to Mushongera’s arrest.