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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A Harare man allegedly masqueraded as Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora and fleeced a Zimbabwe National Roads Administration official of $6 000 after offering him a non-existent farm. Weston Chigubhu (35) of No. 883 Crowbrough North appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing fraud charges. Chigubhu was denied bail and Mr Makomo advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.

The complainant in the matter is Zinara’s licensing and transport controller, Mr George Chamwaura. Prosecuting, Ms Sharon Mashavira alleged that between 2011 and 2014, Chigubhu hired Minister Mombeshora’s lorry which he in turn hired out to various cotton companies. During his escapades, Chigubhu masqueraded as Dr Mombeshora.

It is alleged that sometime in May, he approached a former Zinara human resources executive, Mr Peter Boterere, purporting to have been sent by Dr Mombeshora to register his vehicle. Chigubhu allegedly went on to commend Zinara for services given to Dr Mombeshora and indicated the minister wanted to reward Chamwaura by allocating him a farm.

Chamwaura became interested and Chigubhu allegedly gave him a Telecel number 0735102985 which he said belonged to Dr Mombeshora. Chigubhu allegedly contacted Chamwaura using that number and ordered him to deposit money into an EcoCash account 0777856996 which he said belonged to the Minister’s driver, Mr James Maponga.

Chigubhu later pretended to be Dr Mombeshora and ordered money to be deposited into an account belonging to a Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement official, Mr Tichaona Mukoreka. It is alleged that on another occasion, Chigubhu asked for $1 000 while pretending to be Dr Mombeshora and the money was collected by a John Gutsa.

The court heard that after numerous demands for cash by Chigubhu, Chamwaura became suspicious. Investigations revealed that all the mobile numbers used in the scam belonged to Chigubhu and that the people who received the money were his cousins. Chamwaura lost $6 137 and nothing was recovered.