Court Reporter
A CHITUNGWIZA Municipal inspector, who duped his pastor of US$3 100 in a deal for a residential stand was yesterday sentenced to six months in prison. Mauto Shoriwa (38) of Unit F denied fraud charges when he appeared before Chitungwiza

magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga.

He was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
Ms Mariga took into account that Shoriwa breached the trust imposed on him by the pastor and benefited by converting the money to his own use.

She slapped him with 12 months in prison but set aside three months for the next three years and a further three months were suspended on condition Shoriwa restitutes the pastor US$3 100 before the end of this month.
Agreed facts were that on April 1 last year, Pastor Godwin Marandure (51) of Manyame Church of Christ in Zengeza 1, approached his church member Shoriwa to facilitate him buy a residential stand in the suburb.

The court heard that Pastor Marandure gave Shoriwa US$3 100 to buy the stand on his behalf.
It is alleged that he was given US$2 600 meant for the land while US$300 was for the surveyor general and US$200 for his services.

Shoriwa reassured him that within a short period he would have acquired the stand. But it took long for Shoriwa to show up resulting in Pastor Marandure reporting the matter to police.
Mr Henry Muringani prosecuted.