Story by Parvel Makona
TWO Harare men have appeared in court on separate fraud charges after allegedly duping victims of thousands of United States dollars in failed investment schemes.
Felix Chanetsa (44) was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, accused of defrauding his uncle of US$18 000 in a botched vehicle trading partnership.
Prosecutors allege that in 2023, Chanetsa approached Niederer Mupahadzi proposing a joint venture in the buying and selling of vehicles. Mupahadzi reportedly agreed to the partnership and invested US$18 000.
However, it is alleged that Chanetsa converted the funds to his own use instead of channeling them into the car dealership business.
Chanetsa was granted US$100 bail and is expected to return to court in March 2026 for trial.
In a separate case, Fanuel Madzvamuse (49) appeared in court on Thursday facing allegations of swindling US$3 200 from a Harare man in a bogus investment deal.
The complainant, Albert Chikuni, had reportedly set aside the money to pay lobola before being enticed by promises of high returns.
According to court papers, Madzvamuse allegedly claimed he was a licensed businessman with interests in charcoal mining and promised Chikuni that a US$3 200 investment would yield US$5 600 within a week.
The court heard that after receiving the money, Madzvamuse allegedly converted it to his own use and failed to pay back the promised amount.
He was remanded in custody to March 16, 2026, for trial.
The cases come amid continued warnings from authorities for members of the public to exercise caution when entering into informal investment arrangements promising unusually high returns.
