A 40-YEAR-OLD Chinese man was dragged to court facing charges of defrauding his fellow countryman US$340 000 in a botched mining deal.
Wen Kai was granted US$1 000 bail with conditions when he appeared before Harare magistrate Jessy Kufa.
The State alleges that on October 8, 2025, the accused misrepresented to the complainant, who is also a Chinese national, that they were establishing a business relationship.
The complainant then gave accused money amounting to US$340 000 to invest in a mining business at Sheng AN mining (Pvt) Limited, operating at Hope Fountain in Bulawayo.
The court heard that Wen was entitled to pay salary arrears of workers amounting to US$92 000 using part of that money and to cover other operational expenses.
In order to secure the investment from the complainant, the accused pledged a 50 tonne excavator, five tonne loaders and one cyanide processing factory, which was to be held by the complainant as a collateral security.
According to court papers, Wen diverted complainant’s money and never undertook any mining activity, never paid any employee and he sold all equipment that he had pledged as collateral.
On December 23, 2025, the complainant discovered the offence, leading him to make a police report.
- Society must change its negative perception on disability
- Entertainment galore as showbiz regains its spark
- DeMbare coach demands consistency
- A Chinese miner’s response to the raging investment question
