Zanu-PF Councillor Josiah Mutangi and his alleged accomplice, Janet Zhou, were found guilty of defrauding vendors in Bulawayo. The duo promised vendors secure vending bays in exchange for US$200 each, but it was all a scam .

Magistrate Richard Ramaboea slammed their defense, saying it was a “desperate and calculated, well-oiled strategy to evade crime”. The vendors, including Chishamiso Chihota and Editor Hora, paid up but got nothing in return. One poor soul even paid US$400 .

Mutangi and Zhou claimed the vendors were part of their “Bulawayo Achievers Association”, but the court didn’t buy it. Sentencing is set for December 8. Meanwhile, the vendors are left wondering if they’ll ever get their money back .
end //.