News / National
Fraudster church leader arrested
24 May 2024 at 03:52hrs | Views
A church leader in Mbare finds himself in legal trouble after purportedly impersonating a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) official in a bid to acquire land intended for use as an extension to his church's allocated space in the densely populated suburb.
Kudzai Ngoni Nyamasoka (29), alleged to have falsely associated himself with the Office of the President and Cabinet and claimed membership in the ruling Zanu-PF party, was granted bail of US$200 and instructed to appear at Mbare Magistrate Court on June 18 this year.
Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira informed the court yesterday that Nyamasoka, serving as a pastor at Faith Ministries International in Mbare, Harare, faces charges of fraud and forgery related to a case where the City of Harare is the complainant.
According to Chanakira, the dispute arose in January this year when Faith Ministries International sought to acquire a parcel of land adjacent to its church premises, which had been temporarily leased to True Believers International Ministries. The land, previously utilized for parking by Faith Ministries, had been leased to True Believers.
Subsequently, Faith Ministries attempted to secure the same land as an extension to their church property but was unsuccessful in their application.
Allegedly, in response to this denial, Nyamasoka, representing Faith Ministries International, initiated actions to intimidate members of the rival church. He purportedly engaged individuals posing as representatives of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the President's Department, and the Zanu-PF youth league to harass congregants of the other church.
In April 2024, Nyamasoka allegedly contacted council officials, impersonating a Zacc officer, and urged them to revoke the land allocation to the rival church. Moreover, he is accused of fabricating a fraudulent letter with a computer-generated letterhead, warning the district officer to halt the land allocation process due to ongoing Zacc investigations.
Following a report to the police, Nyamasoka was arrested.
Kudzai Ngoni Nyamasoka (29), alleged to have falsely associated himself with the Office of the President and Cabinet and claimed membership in the ruling Zanu-PF party, was granted bail of US$200 and instructed to appear at Mbare Magistrate Court on June 18 this year.
Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira informed the court yesterday that Nyamasoka, serving as a pastor at Faith Ministries International in Mbare, Harare, faces charges of fraud and forgery related to a case where the City of Harare is the complainant.
According to Chanakira, the dispute arose in January this year when Faith Ministries International sought to acquire a parcel of land adjacent to its church premises, which had been temporarily leased to True Believers International Ministries. The land, previously utilized for parking by Faith Ministries, had been leased to True Believers.
Subsequently, Faith Ministries attempted to secure the same land as an extension to their church property but was unsuccessful in their application.
Allegedly, in response to this denial, Nyamasoka, representing Faith Ministries International, initiated actions to intimidate members of the rival church. He purportedly engaged individuals posing as representatives of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the President's Department, and the Zanu-PF youth league to harass congregants of the other church.
In April 2024, Nyamasoka allegedly contacted council officials, impersonating a Zacc officer, and urged them to revoke the land allocation to the rival church. Moreover, he is accused of fabricating a fraudulent letter with a computer-generated letterhead, warning the district officer to halt the land allocation process due to ongoing Zacc investigations.
Following a report to the police, Nyamasoka was arrested.
Source - newsday
