A CHINESE woman, who allegedly lost $2,1 million to a Zimbabwean fraudster in a botched diamond deal, wailed in court yesterday after Harare magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa refused to place the accused on remand citing a legal loophole.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Mathew Musengezi (36) who was represented by Tawanda Takaindisa, walked out of the dock a free man after Ruvetsa refused to place him on remand arguing that the State had not recorded his warned and cautioned statement as required by the law.
Prosecutor Michael Reza tried unsuccessfully to defend the State’s position on the warned and cautioned statement saying only reasonable suspicion could lead to the accused being put on remand, but the magistrate stood his ground.
Following the court ruling, the Chinese national, who was not named in court papers, wailed uncontrollably, as it dawned on her that she would not be able to recover her money.
Allegations were that on December 27 last year, Musengezi and four Chinese nationals, who are still at large, misrepresented to the complainant that they could assist her to buy local diamonds.
Acting on the misrepresentation, the complainant transferred $2,1 million into one of the accused, Huang Fei’s bank account. She later realised that she had been duped, and reported the matter to police.
Musengezi was arrested on March 30 after a tip off.
