GMB worker arrested using fake ID in bid to dupe ZIPEDRA

A 46-year-old man employed by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has been hauled before the courts for attempting to dupe the Zimbabwe Ex Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZIPEDRA) of US$6 500 using fake identity documents.

Rejice Chidari, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Tilda Mutambanashe last week facing fraud charges as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law and Codification Act chapter 9:23.

Prosecutor Thomas Mabwe told the court that in November 2011, Chidari attempted to dupe ZIPEDRA of US$6 500 by misrepresenting that he was an ex-detainee using an identity registration number belonging to one Richard Mbwende.

Mbwende is a bona-fide member of ZIPEDRA.

It is alleged that Chidari got hold of Mbwende's national registration number and details from an unknown source before going to obtain a prison detention confirmation letter from the Zimbabwe Prison Service.

Chidari is said to have told ZPS officials that he had changed his name from Richard Mbwende to Rejice Chidari and was detained at Hwahwa Prison between July 15 1979 to January 29 1980 for allegedly contravening the then Law and Order (Maintenance) Act (LOMA).

Chidari proceeded to submit an affidavit to the ZIPEDRA vetting team that he had changed his name with the supporting documents that confirmed that he is an ex-detainee.

The documents were subsequently processed by the vetting team before being submitted to the Pensions Agency for payment of compensation.

However, investigations by the agency showed that Chidari was never detained at Hwahwa and was using Mbwende's identity particulars to dupe ZIPEDRA.

Chidari  pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded out of custody to January 27 for continuation of trial.