'Killer' nurse nails lover

KWEKWE General Hospital nurse, Renica Chakabvapasi, has accused her lover, Godwin Mugwangi, of being the brains behind the funeral benefits policy scam, which saw Old Mutual Life Assurance losing $10 000.

The trial of Chakabvapasi, who is facing two counts of fraud and one of possessing medicines without a licence, opened on Wednesday.

The nurse, who is also accused of murder, in presenting her defence before magistrate, Ngoni Nduna, said Mugwangi came up with the idea of putting terminally-ill patients on the funeral cash benefits scheme.

Mugwangi did not appear in court after skipping bail two weeks ago.

Chakabvapasi told the court that Mugwangi had assisted her to single out two of their victims at an HIV and Aids support group.

Although Chakabvapasi opened the funeral policies, she said the money was spent by her lover, who is on the run.

"I did not get money in the case before the courts, my only benefit was $200 and the rest of the money went to Mugwangi," she said.

Chakabvapasi is also facing a charge of contravening the Medicines and Allied Substances Act after being caught with tablets and other medicines without a licence.

She told the court that it was her medication, which was prescribed to her after suffering a miscarriage in January this year.

A tearful Chakabvapasi also told the court that she was not aware that her actions were illegal.

Nduna is expected to deliver judgment on Monday.

Chakabvapasi is expected to face five more counts of fraud.