A Bulawayo-based company, Powerrite Distributors, has disclosed that it was the victim of an alleged fraudulent scheme, resulting in a loss of at least R85 000.
The circumstances of the incident closely resemble those of a similar scam that recently affected Plumtree-based Amora Electricals: https://cite.org.zw/plumtree-company-loses-over-zar100k-in-fraudulent-tender-scam/
Company director Nqobizitha Ndlovu explained to CITE that he received an email from an individual named Jabulani Sibanda, who claimed to be the procurement manager at Entuba Coal Mine.
“I received an email from someone identifying himself as Jabulani Sibanda, the procurement manager at Entuba Coal Mine, informing me that they wanted to add our company to their supplier database. I provided the requested information, and a week later, they confirmed that we had been successfully added,” Ndlovu said.
“A week after that, I received another email requesting a supply of six screening machines. I contacted local companies, but none had the specific machines they needed. After conducting online research, I found only one company, JCP Industrial, based in Cape Town, that had the required equipment.”
Ndlovu said he reached out to JCP Industrial, which sent him photos and specifications of the equipment. He received a quotation and decided to order two machines instead of six, for which he was charged ZAR85,540.
“After communicating with JCP, I received a call from Sibanda asking if I was making progress with the order. I informed him that I could only afford to purchase two machines instead of six, and he agreed,” Ndlovu explained.
“The company sent me banking details for an account in the name of Ava’s, to which I transferred the money from my FNB account. They assured me the equipment would be sent to Johannesburg, where my driver would collect it. However, when my driver arrived, the delivery truck didn’t show up at the scheduled time. Upon inquiry, they asked me to be patient, citing a minor delay.”
Ndlovu said he became suspicious at this point and decided to investigate further.
“I discovered that the SAS details they had provided were false,” he said. “They had simply duplicated Shoprite’s account numbers. I contacted my bank, and they advised me to file a police report in South Africa, which I did. The bank has since frozen the accounts.”
Ndlovu expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “Such behaviour is deeply troubling for us in business. Imagine the amount of money people are losing to these scams. We hope the perpetrators are brought to justice because this is causing significant financial damage.”
