Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
A Harare conman who impersonated former cabinet ministers on two occasions to commit fraud has been jailed three years after defrauding a Bindura farmer.
Tinashe Munhuweyi of Crowborough, Harare, will serve an effective 26 months in jail for fraud after 10 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The Bindura Magistrates Court heard that on 30 May 2023, Munhuweyi contacted Ngoni Masoka of Matepatepa pretending to be former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and claiming to be hospitalised in South Africa.
He further argued his daughter Miriam Chidhakwa had suffered a vehicle breakdown at Mukumbura Border Post while conducting research and requested US$200 to repair the vehicle.
Munhuweyi promised to pay the money the next day.
Masoka agreed to lend him cash which his wife paid through Mukuru money transfer agent.
The money was withdrawn by Shelton Munetsi at a Harare retail store and handed over to Munhuweyi.
After the due date for payment of the money lapsed, the complainant contacted former Minister Chidhakwa asking for his money and Chidhakwa denied asking for help from the complainant.
In October, Munhuweyi contacted Masoka again purporting to be former Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made requesting for US$400 to refuel his truck at Mukumbura Border Post.
Smelling a rat, Masoka filed a police report leading to the fraudster’s arrest and conviction after a full trial.
