A HARARE company allegedly duped the Zimbabwe Republic Police of US$850 000 in a botched deal for the supply of stretcher beds and sleeping bags.
Blessing Samuriwo, the Printmill Private Limited’s sales and marketing manager, appeared at the magistrates court facing fraud charges related to the deal.
According to court documents, the ZRP, represented by superintendent Ballot Gatsi, entered into a contract with Printmill in September 2023 for the supply of 2 500 stretcher beds and 2 500 sleeping bags.
An advance payment of ZWL 4 790 422 945 equivalent to US$850 000 was deposited into the company’s Metbank account on October 25, 2023 with a delivery deadline of 21 days.
However, despite several follow-ups, Samuriwo failed to deliver the goods, allegedly citing a lack of capacity to supply.
This led the ZRP to file a police report, resulting in his arrest.
Samuriwo was released on US$500 bail and is expected to return to court on April 28.
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