Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A TOP travel agent wrecked the Christman holidays of a number of families, including a director at Bolt Cutter Buses, whose plans for a dream six-day family holiday in Cape Town were sabotaged by the agent’s lies and fraudulent conduct.
Another family, who also used the same travel agent, faced a nightmare in Hong Kong after they found out that the agent had not transferred the money they paid her for accomodation to the hotels in that Asian country.
Talent Chetsanga 42, of Marine Travel, was arrested and appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova yesterday.
She was remanded in custody to Monday for bail considerations.
Businessman Wilfred Chibage, the director of Chibs Wilfy Enterprises, T/A Bolt Cutter Buses, is one of the compainants.
Chibage approached Chetsanga in October last year seeking her services to process air tickets for him and his family to Cape Town, South Africa.
Chetsanga charged him US$6 475 inclusive of air tickets, accommodation, entertainment and transport to various places for six days.
Chibage paid the amount in instalments.
On December 25, Chibage received a call from Chetsanga, while on his way to the airport, telling him that he should cancel the journey since the tickets had not been processed.
He proceeded to the airport where he was told that Chetsanga had just booked the tickets but did not pay for them.
He made another payment and proceeded with his journey to Cape Town.
When he arrived in Cape Town he discovered that Chetsanga had paid 50% of the total amount for the hotel bookings, she had not paid anything to the transporter who was going to transport his family to and from various places during their holiday.
He had to pay again for the hotel bookings and transport as well as return tickets from Cape Town.
Chibage suffered an actual prejudice of US$6 969 and nothing has been recovered so far.
The other complainant is Shelliton Mahunia.
Allegations are that in July last year, Mahuni approached Chetsanga seeking her services to process air tickets to Hong Kong for himself with his family.
Chetsanga charged Mahuni US$7 000, inclusive of air tickets and accommodation, which he paid in instalments over a period of four months.
Mahuni paid the full amount and travelled to Hong Kong with his family on December 19 last year.
While in Hong Kong, Mahuni found out that Chetsanga had not paid for the accommodation.
Mahuni then made another payment equivalent to US$3 911, 99, for the accommodation.
Chetsanga promised to refund Mahuni but she never fulfilled the promise.
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