A Harare resident is fighting for justice after allegedly falling victim to a fraudulent transaction involving a Konica Minolta Bizhub printing machine by Divine Magaya.
The man, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, claims he was scammed out of $1,200 by a company owned by Divine Magaya, which allegedly failed to deliver the functional machine he paid for in March 2023.
According to the victim, he paid $1,200 on March 2, 2023, for the printer, expecting to receive a fully operational device. However, what was delivered was defective and unusable. When he raised the issue with the company, they agreed to replace it but with an unexpected and frustrating condition.
Instead of receiving a direct replacement, the victim was informed that the substitute machine had been “upgraded” and that he needed to pay an additional top-up fee to secure it.
Trusting the company’s assurances, the man paid the extra amount on April 17, 2023, expecting to receive the promised replacement printer.
Yet, despite his patience and repeated enquiries, he claims he has never received the machine. Instead, he alleges that Divine Magaya and his company have gone silent, offering no explanation for the continued delays.
Faced with mounting frustration, the victim took the case to the police, hoping for legal intervention. However, he asserts that no action has been taken against the alleged fraudsters, leaving him feeling powerless and betrayed.
This situation raises serious concerns about consumer rights in Zimbabwe and whether authorities are doing enough to protect citizens from unscrupulous business practices.
“If companies can take people’s money and get away with it, what protection do we, as consumers, really have?” the victim questioned.
Having exhausted all informal avenues, the man is now considering legal action to either recover his funds or force Divine Magaya’s company to honour its commitment.
His case highlights a troubling reality where businesses may operate with impunity, taking advantage of ordinary citizens without fear of repercussions.
As of now, Divine Magaya has not responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, consumer advocates are urging authorities to take swift action against businesses that fail to uphold their obligations.
Zimbabwe’s business sector cannot thrive if fraudulent practices are allowed to continue unchecked.
Cases like this demand urgent intervention from regulatory bodies to ensure that no more citizens are left stranded, cheated, and financially drained by deceitful enterprises.
The victim, along with many others in similar situations, is now calling on authorities to take action and ensure that businesses are held accountable.
