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Hillary Indi

Fungai Jachi Court Reporter
Former Studio 263 actor Tafadzwa Tandi-Chingono, popularly known as Hilary Indi, was yesterday acquitted of fraud charges, where it was alleged that he had duped a Harare couple of over US$20 000.

Chingono was appearing before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

In passing his sentence, Mr Makomo indicated that Dr Alexander Guni was bound by contract and poor performance by Indi did not amount to misrepresentation.

“The matter does not meet the essential elements of fraud as it is a civil matter. Mr Guni actually met part of the agreement by giving Chingono US$20 000 as part of their contractual obligation,” he said.

Mr Makomo advised the two to solve their misunderstanding in a civil court rather than dragging each other to a criminal court.

Allegations are that Chingono enticed Guni and his wife to arrange their wedding. The couple claimed Chingono misrepresented to them that he had planned Bona Mugabe’s wedding.

Guni consequently fell into the trap and immediately hired Chingono for his wedding arrangements.

It is alleged that Chingono received US$20 000 from the complainant as part payment. The court heard he later brought a list of fictitious payments, which he claimed had made.

After realising that he had been duped, Guni reported the matter to the police.