A number of Zimbabweans in diaspora were allegedly duped of
thousands of United States dollars by an unregistered borehole drilling company
whose owners were operating from a property in Bulawayo.
The company known as Bulawayo Drilling, was reportedly
demanding a US$4 200 deposit from its victims and the directors became evasive
once they received the money.
According to one of the victims, Zibusiso Sibanda, the
company has duped about five people.
“I wanted to have a borehole drilled at my home area in
Jotsholo, Lupane, and was referred to Bulawayo Drilling. They charged me US$6
300 for their services
and I paid a deposit of US$4 200,” Sibanda said.
“The balance was to be settled later. “They told me that
they would come and do the job while I looked for the balance.
“ Ever since then, they keep telling me different stories
and they are not even responding to my messages.”
Sibanda reported the matter to the police at Central Police
Station under case number 8814/19.
“It’s like these guys have duped many people because the
police informed me that about five people had made reports over similar cases.
What is so appalling is
that they are using fake names,” he said.
“The guy I was in contact with identified himself as P
Dube, the field technician, but the cellphone number he was using is registered
in the name of Morton
Zimbudzana.
“The other cellphone number they were using is registered
under Tatenda Chari.”
Kudakwashe Mazendane who was duped of US$1 500, said he had
tried to have the company drill the promised borehole without success.
“I’m based in the United Kingdom and got to know them
through Facebook where they were very active,” he said.
“I then paid them US$1 500 for borehole drilling as
deposit, but they never delivered. I have been bearing on them to do the job to
no avail.”
The company allegedly supplied its victims with fake names
and contact details, a situation that has made it difficult for the victims to
locate them.
Efforts to contact the company owners using the contact
details provided on one of their flyers were fruitless as the phone numbers
were not going through.
Their offices, located along Fort Street between 13th
Avenue and 14th Avenue at Albion Flats, were deserted, with the property
caretaker saying they left the place a long time ago.
He said about three people had come to the office looking
for them to no avail. “Some are from Plumtree. These people have caused us
serious problems here,” he said.
A tenant, who preferred anonymity, said the suspected two
fraudsters from Harare were once arrested by the police over fraud allegation
but were released
under unclear circumstances.
“These guys had no equipment, but surprisingly were making
money,” the tenant said.
The flyer says the company offers borehole drilling, pump
installation, geological survey, solar pump installation, jojo tanks and stands
services.
The police said they were still investigating the case. Standard
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