Chinese translator on the run

Online Reporter

A Chinese translator is on the run after failing to appear in court to answer allegations of duping two Chinese nationals of US$1 000.

The duo had sought the suspect’s services while applying for residents’ permits and company registration.

Brighton Mutete was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to appear before Harare magistrate, Mrs Nyaradzo Manokore, to answer to fraud charges.

His co-accused Terrence Ndlovhu alias Prince appeared and was remanded to July 2 for trial.

Mutete and Ndlovu allegedly conned Fan Zeng Qiang and Lian Hongya.

Prosecuting, Mrs Belinda Chimuka said on October 17 last year, Fan Zeng and Lian sought Mutete’s services as they wanted assistance in processing immigration paperwork, company registration and ZIDA applications.

It is said Ndlovu introduced the two Chinese nationals to Mutete whom he said was his friend who worked as an agent for the Immigration Department.

The court heard that Ndlovu and Mutete asked for US$1 000 from the Chinese nationals, saying it was a deposit for processing the work permits.

They also allegedly took their passports.

After a month, Mutete and Ndlovu returned with scanned confirmation letters that had purportedly originated from the Immigration Department.

The two foreign nationals were later caught using the fake documents.

They indicated that Mutete and Ndlovu were the originators of the documents, leading to their arrest.