Fake notes syndicate nabbed

POLICE in Matabeleland North have arrested a fake notes syndicate, which went about buying maize and groceries in Jotsholo and Lusulu in Binga and recovered fake money with a street value of more than R20 000.
The syndicate also allegedly used the fake notes with a street value of R2 000 in Filabusi on Tuesday where four of them were caught buying maize from a villager.
Confirming the arrest yesterday, the Officer Commanding Lupane District Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo said the four men caught in Lusulu had bought many bags of maize and groceries from villagers with a street value of R2 000.
"The fake notes syndicate made up of six men and one woman was operating in Jotsholo, Kezi and Lusulu. They went on a buying spree divided into two groups.
The first group went to Jotsholo where they bought 60 litres of petrol, maize from villagers and changed the fake rands into dollars.
"However, one of the villagers discovered that they had used fake notes and alerted the police. He also gave police the vehicle registration number leading to the arrest of three men and they were found in possession of R2 000 fake notes," said Chief Supt Govo.
He said the other group went to Kezi and also bought maize and groceries from unsuspecting villagers.
"On Tuesday the second group was caught buying maize and police recovered fake notes with street value of R20 000 and some Korean notes. These men claimed they got these from their colleagues in South Africa so investigations are under way.
"Of the seven we arrested, we have only identified three men all from Bulawayo. They include Kudakwashe Nyoni (49), from Nketa 8, John Magaya (32), from Cowdray Park and Alex Sibanda (42), from Gwabalanda," he said.Chief Supt Govo urged members of the public to always be on the alert as fake notes as fake notes were circulation.