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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A senior Zimbabwe National Army official and three others appeared in court last Friday accused of manufacturing national identity cards for a Chitungwiza couple to fraudulently sell their residential stand.
Pepukai Zvakavapano (29), Tichaona Makusha (30), Prosper Munanyi (19) and Collen Murungani (26) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Douglas Chikwekwe.

The complainant in the matter is Keith Mugozori employed as a police officer.
In his bail application, Zvakavapano told the court that he is a senior Zimbabwe National Army official and distanced himself from the offence.
“I am well conversant with consequences of interfering with State witnesses.

“If granted bail I will not interfere with witnesses.
“My mobile number was on the advertisement but the complainant did not talk to me or see me except at the police station,” he said.

Zvakavapano did not complete his bail application as Mr Chikwekwe referred the matter to Chitungwiza Magistrates Court where the offence was allegedly committed.
The prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleged that the quartet connived to defraud Mugozori and manufactured national identity cards of Thomas Shadreck and Tandiwe Nhanga who own stand number 21683 Unit C, Seke Chitungwiza.

Pursuant of their plan the accused advertised in a local newspaper stating that they were selling the stand.
They allegedly placed Zvakavapano’s contact details and mobile number.

Mugozori responded to the advertisement and phoned the number which was allegedly answered by Munanyi and Murungani who arranged to meet at the stand.
Mugozori was advised that the stand belonged to Makusha who was away in Mount Darwin at that time.

Mugozori indicated to the accused that he was interested in purchasing the stand and requested to meet with the owner.
On March 18 this year Makusha in the company of a woman who is on the run purported to be the owners of the stand.

Makusha and his ‘wife’ allegedly told Mugozori that they were selling the stand at US$5 600.
Mugozori paid US$5 000 and the balance was to be paid on March 24, the court heard.

Makusha and Mugozori signed an affidavit before lawyers only to be tipped off that the owners of the stand were in Chitungwiza camp.