By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE, 1 July 2026 — Police in Manicaland have arrested three men accused of defrauding two Mutare-based businesses of groceries worth more than US$12,500 in two separate incidents, acting on false representations as bulk buyers.
Prince Ruvimbo Dhau (31), Pardon Dhau (35), and Dennis Chikotosa (39) were picked up by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) between 29 and 30 May 2026 following investigations into the cases, which occurred on 9 April and 20 May 2026.
In the first count, the trio allegedly contacted Evans Tenha, the Olivine Industries Development Manager for Mutare Branch, posing as genuine customers wishing to purchase bulk groceries. Acting on the misrepresentation, Tenha instructed a sales representative, Gilbert Mushata, to deliver goods to the accused persons’ purported shop at St Joseph Business Centre.
The complainants were led to Bumly shop at St Joseph, Chikanga, where they offloaded 150 x 8×2 litres of Olivine cooking oil, 150 x 8×2 litres of Pure Drop cooking oil, and 50 x 20x250g Jade bathing soap, valued at US$8,560.
The accused then claimed the remainder of the goods would be offloaded at another shop in Dangamvura, where payment would be made. However, after one accused accompanied the complainant to Dangamvura and disappeared, the complainant returned to find the offloaded goods gone — loaded onto a white Scania rigid truck, registration AHF 1356.
In the second incident on 20 May 2026, the same suspects contacted Stephen Chindudzi, a salesperson at Metro Hyper Market in Mutare, again posing as bulk buyers for resale in Odzi. The complainant offloaded goods including sugar, cooking oil, roller meal, biscuits, and matches worth US$4,023. One suspect accompanied him towards Odzi before fleeing on the pretext of collecting payment.
A white Scania truck (AHF 1356) used in the first fraud was recovered in Mutare CBD on 22 April 2026. The truck had been hired from Kumbulani Nxusa (47) of Chikanga.
Following the arrest of Prince and Pardon Dhau on 29 May 2026, the pair allegedly confessed to both frauds and implicated Chikotosa, who was arrested the next day.
Confirming the developments, ZRP Manicaland Acting Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said investigations had led to significant recoveries.
“On 31 May 2026, the accused persons led police to Shop and Save at Sakubva Bus Terminus, where 31x12x2 litres of D’lite cooking oil, 40x10x2kg of Hullets brown sugar, and 60x10kg of Mega roller meal were recovered,” said Chinyoka.
He added that a silver gold Toyota Axio, registration AEW 1327, belonging to accused 2, Pardon Dhau, was positively identified by complainants as the vehicle used in the commission of the offences.
“All the goods defrauded from complainant 1 were sold in Waterfalls, Harare, a fact confirmed by Kumbulani Nxusa, who drove the goods to Harare using his white Scania truck,” Chinyoka said.
The total value defrauded stands at US$8,560 and US$4,023 respectively. The accused remain in police custody pending court appearance.
