Langton Madara, the director of Preperco Investments, was convicted of attempting to defraud the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of US$1.6 million through a fraudulent bond paper supply contract.
According to The Herald, Magistrate Clever Tsikwa initially sentenced Madara to three years in prison. However, 18 months of the sentence were suspended on the condition of good behavior, and the remaining 18 months were substituted with 630 hours of community service at Glen View Polyclinic.
The court took into account that Madara was a first-time offender and that no money was lost since the fraud was uncovered before any payment was made. Prosecutor Tendai Tapi successfully proved that Madara had submitted a counterfeit bank guarantee in order to secure an advance payment from the ZRP.
The fraud began in 2022 when the ZRP placed an advertisement seeking reputable suppliers for bulk bond paper. Madara responded to the tender, which was awarded to him.
In January 2023, a contract was signed between ZRP and Madara, represented by Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga. The contract stipulated that the ZRP would make an advance payment of 15 percent of the total cost, secured by a bank guarantee.
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