HARARE, March 7, (NewsDayLive)- United States-registered humanitarian organisation Thriving Minds Foundation allegedly lost US$16 381 to a Harare man, who posed as an agent of Global Union and promised to assist the organisation to secure more funding for its operations.
The NGO has now taken the suspected fraudster, Cliford Tichatonga Chifausipo, and his alleged accomplices Wendy Mukombe and Netsai Patience Dera to the Commercial Court over the matter.
lt is alleged that sometime in July 2023, the organisation engaged Chifausipo to assist with securing funding for its various humanitarian projects after he claimed to be an agent of Global Union.
Chifausipo allegedly demanded and was paid US$1 200 to enable him to draft what he called a bankable business proposal. He then assured the organisation that it would take between three and six months to start receiving the funding.
After drafting the business proposal, Chifauspo allegedly demanded an additional US$2 500 for him to open an offshore company account for the foundation, in which the donated funds would be deposited.
The plaintiff allegedly made the requested payment to Chifausipo on September 20, 2023 through the Western Union money transfer platform.
Chifausipo allegedly requested another payment of US$20 000 which he said was a deposit to be made into the new offshore account as “goodwill for the investors’.
The humanitarian ogranisation indicated that it was unable to raise the requested amount, and instead offered to pay US$12 680.
- Environmental justice: Think big, start small
- In Full: Fifteenth post-cabinet press briefing, June 07, 2022
- 33% drop in Byo diarrhoea cases
- Health talk: Mandatory wearing of masks can now be scrapped
Keep Reading
Part of the money, precisely US$2 326 was allegedly paid to Chifausipo, while his alleged business partners Mukombe and Dera got US$6 512 and US$3 843, respectively.
lt is alleged that after all payments had been made, Chifausipo became evasive.
The organisation, through its lawyer Melusi Muchada of MD Muchada Legal Practice, later filed a report at Rhodesville Police Station, leading to Chifausipo's arrest under case number CR 117/2/25.
The organisation claims that it suffered damages in the sum of US$26 381, comprising US$16 381 being the total amount paid to the trio and US$10 000 as general damages.
The matter is yet to be heard.
