Woman duped in bid to get hubby out of prison

A Beitbridge woman lost $500 to a fraudster who duped her into believing he could facilitate her husband's release from remand prison.

Portia Nyathi was allegedly approached by Munyaradzi Bhobho of Waterfalls in Harare, who claimed he had connections to get her husband, Gilbert Moyo, acquitted of a charge of stealing copper cables worth $10 000.

Bhobho appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Gloria Takundwa.

The conman approached Nyathi and conned her by pretending that a local prosecutor who is handling her husband's case, had sent him.

The prosecutor, Jabulani Mberesi told the court that on August 28, 2013, Bhobho approached Nyathi and said he had connections to secure her husband's release from prison.

He demanded $500 which he claimed was needed before Moyo appeared in court.
Nyathi deposited the money through Eco Cash and Bhobho withdrew it and squandered it.

Nyathi got a rude awakening when her husband appeared in court with an accomplice, Asifa Sibanda also of Makakavhule village in Beitbridge. She was secure in the knowledge that the trial was just a sham as she had paid for his release.

The Magistrate convicted the pair and sentenced each of them to an effective 21 years in prison for stealing the Zesa and Tel-One copper cables along Beitbridge- Masvingo road.

A stunned Nyathi reported the matter to the police soon after her husband was led away from the dock.
Magistrate Takundwa postponed the matter to January 30 for trial.