By Crime and Courts Reporter-A Harare magistrate, Munashe Chibanda, has convicted Takudzwa Munyawarara, the director of Exclusive Projects Private Limited, for defrauding Garwe Restaurant owner Mandy Mvukwe of US$48,000 in a failed mobile toilet import deal.

Munyawarara was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with 12 months suspended—six on condition of good behaviour and six upon restitution of the money by April 15.

He will serve an effective six-month jail term.

During the trial, the court heard that in May last year, Mvukwe sought to start a mobile toilet rental business and engaged Munyawarara, who claimed he could source and import the units from China.

The agreement was for 160 toilets at US$300 each, covering duty and transport.

On June 25, Munyawarara allegedly collected US$48,000 from Mvukwe’s house in the presence of a witness, promising delivery by the end of July 2023.

However, when the deadline passed, he became evasive.

Munyawarara denied the charges, claiming the allegations were fabricated to cover up an illegal transaction. However, the court found him guilty after trial.