Aviator: Chindege Craze Takes Over Harare
Two punters are in hot soup after losing money they were entrusted with to the Aviator
Aviator: Chindege Craze Takes Over Harare
Harare – A punter fainted after he lost all of his brother’s money while betting on the popular Aviator game, locally referred to as “Chindege.”
The man collapsed inside the Moors World of Sport (MWOS) betting shop at the Cameron Branch after the loss.
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Eyewitnesses accounts say the man had been entrusted with the funds to purchase stock for his brother’s grocery shop.
He, however, chose to gamble the money in the hopes of multiplying it. The bet failed. The loss overwhelmed him, causing him to collapse on the shop floor.
A video circulating online shows patrons attempting to revive the man by fanning him, while a police officer is seen checking on him to understand what had transpired.
“The man was distraught,” said one witness. “It was clear he couldn’t handle the shock of losing the money.”
At the time of writing, media had not established the exact amount lost by the man or confirmed his identity.
In a related incident, a Bakers Inn shift manager has been arrested for misappropriating US$3,420 from his workplace to fund a betting spree on Aviator.
Aviator: Chindege Craze Takes Over Harare
William Gonese (28) of Seke, Chitungwiza, appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms Lynne Chinzou and pleaded guilty to theft.
During his court appearance, Gonese revealed his motive.
“Your Worship, my intention was not to steal, but to win more money,” he said. “My girlfriend recently eloped to me, and I wanted to impress her if I had won the money.”
Prosecutor Ms Audrah Chitoro detailed the events leading to the arrest. Gonese, a shift manager at Simbisa Bakers Inn on Chinhoyi Street, was entrusted with a float of US$3,420 to serve customers.
By the end of his shift, he had lost US$470 in cash and US$2,950 in InnBucks deposits on Aviator.
Gonese confessed his actions to audit manager Mr Yusufu Bruce, who conducted a reconciliation and confirmed the full amount was missing. A police report was filed, leading to Gonese’s arrest.
Nothing was recovered from the stolen funds. Sentencing for Gonese is scheduled for Friday.
