A Victoria Falls businessman Victor Shumba was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding a Bulawayo miller of over $12 000 in a botched mealie-meal deal.By Senior Court Reporter
Shumba (27), who operates Shumba Stores in the resort town, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to fraud when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Merylene Mutshina.
However, 10 months of the sentence were suspended on condition he restituted the complainant, Nathan King, before December 31.
Public prosecutor Admire Chikwayi told the court that sometime in 2009, Shumba and King met in Bulawayo and sealed a business deal where the latter supplied 34 tonnes of mealie-meal worth $12 240 to the Victoria Falls businessman.
The court heard that Shumba was supposed to pay the full amount within 14 days of receiving the consignment.
However, on September 7, 2009, Shumba only paid $800 and converted the balance to his own use after selling all the supplied mealie-meal.
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When King made a follow up on his money, Shumba became evasive and went into hiding.
He was arrested last week and brought to court for trial.