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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
A Gweru man, Munyaradzi Komboni (41), lost $1 260 to a woman who masqueraded as his second wife and unduly intercepted payments for the rental of his vehicle to CMED during the biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise.

Nompilo Bhebhe (34) of Mkoba 13 Suburb, recently appeared before Gweru magistrate Ms Judith Taruvinga facing one count of fraud. She pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

However, three months were set side on condition that she restitutes the victim.

In passing sentence, Ms Taruvinga expressed concern over soaring fraud cases and said fraudsters deserved a custodial sentence. “It’s very worrying that fraud cases are on the rise and fraudsters should be given custodial sentences,” she said. “You are, thereby, sentenced to nine months in prison of which three months are suspended on condition you restitute the complainant his $1 260 by February 28.”

The court heard that on October 14, last year, Komboni instructed Bhebhe to take his vehicle, a Toyota Hilux double cab, to CMED Gweru for inspection since he had offered to lease it for use in the BVR exercise.

After the car was certified fit for the exercise, Komboni then instructed Bhebhe to sign the contract on his behalf.

Komboni later phoned CMED offices and gave his wife, Ms Monica Muchowe’s banking details.

Bhebhe proceeded to CMED offices and misrepresented herself as Komboni’s second wife before instructing them to deposit the money into her own bank account.

Sometime in January, Komboni called CMED inquiring about the delays over the second payment and was told that the payment was made into Bhebhe’s account on January 18.

Komboni called Bhebhe, who admitted to fraudulently switching banking details.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to her arrest.