Four Cases, No Trial: Matebeleland Engineering Accuses Ex-Director of Evading Justice
Matebeleland Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. alleges that its former director, Italian tycoon Tony Renato Sarpo, has evaded justice in Zimbabwe for almost a decade, with four cases reported by the company remaining unheard in court.
One case involves a US$68,000 house, where Sarpo was accused of fraud. Information available to this publication indicates that investigations were completed and the docket was sent to the Chiredzi Magistrates’ Court sometime in 2018, but the case never went to trial.
Another case, involving a US$1,300,000 fraud allegation against Sarpo, reportedly concluded investigations with the docket being sent to the Harare Magistrates Court around 2018, however, the trial never commenced.
The third case, involving approximately US$700,000, was also reported. Around 2018, investigations were reportedly still in progress.
After the docket was submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for review, the investigating officer was asked to make some corrections. Matebeleland Engineering states they are still awaiting the results of the investigation.
In another case, it is alleged that in 2014, Edmore Gochai Veterai, representing the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Association, entered into a sales agreement for farming equipment with Sarpo, who was representing Matebeleland Engineering at that time.
The equipment included a Toyota Land Cruiser pick up valued at US$42 000, a tractor crane valued at US$8 000, a new Perry valued at US$14 500, a velocity 150 CC trail Bike valued at US$2 217, and a Landini tractor valued at US$25 000.
According to a statement Veterai gave at the Rhodesville Police Station, a copy of which is in this publication’s possession, Sarpo verbally instructed that the purchase price for the equipment be deposited into a different Ecobank account than the one specified in the sales agreement.
“I was surprised to hear that the money that the Association paid for the purchase for the farm equipment did not reach the intended destination that is Matebeleland Engineering Pvt Ltd. This made me to suspect that the accused (Sarpo) had given the Association to pay the purchase price of the equipment was his personal account,” read part of the statement.
The case reported under CR 133/5/19 also did not proceed to court.
Matebeleland Engineering, which has operated in Zimbabwe for 33 years supplying mining and farming equipment, alleges that Tony Renato Sarpo, who joined the company around 2013, defrauded them of equipment, a house in Chiredzi, and substantial sums of money within two years, according to information received by this publication.
Tony Renato Sarpo is reportedly embroiled in legal disputes not only with Matebeleland Engineering but also with other individuals in both Chiredzi and Harare.
