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Zanu-PF 'Central Committee member', gets away with US$10 000 fraud?
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A 44-year-old man, Wilbert Nyarugwe, appeared in court on fraud charges after allegedly defrauding a businessman of US$10,000 by pretending to be a Zanu-PF Central Committee member capable of facilitating the release of goods confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).
Nyarugwe, who presented himself as "Honourable Nyarugwe," appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms. Tilda Mazhande on allegations that he misled businessman Douglas Muraza and his wife into paying the hefty sum under false pretenses.
The fraud case stems from an incident in September last year, when Mr. Muraza's bus was impounded by Zimra in Masvingo for transporting smuggled goods. According to court testimony, Nyarugwe, who had been introduced to the Muraza family by a mutual acquaintance, Kelvin Maponga, heard about the incident and offered to help facilitate the release of the confiscated goods.
Nyarugwe claimed to have close ties with Zimra's Commissioner General, Mrs. Regina Chinamasa, and assured the Murazas that he could arrange for her assistance in releasing the goods. On October 6, Nyarugwe allegedly told Mr. Muraza that Mrs. Chinamasa had requested US$10,000 to resolve the matter. Trusting Nyarugwe, Mr. Muraza handed the money over to him through his wife.
Days later, Nyarugwe took Mr. Muraza to Zimra's Masvingo offices, where he introduced himself to Zimra's Technical Services Manager, Mr. William Murashwa Gadzikwa, as a member of the Zanu-PF Central Committee. Nyarugwe allegedly informed Mr. Gadzikwa that he had come to check on the seized goods. However, Zimra advised that the release of the goods would be delayed until a report was completed.
On October 24, Mr. Muraza received an email from Zimra detailing the duty fees, fines, interest, and storage charges amounting to ZWG 893,529.59. Alarmed, Mr. Muraza contacted Nyarugwe, who claimed that he had already given the money to Mrs. Chinamasa but promised to reimburse the sum.
Despite multiple requests for reimbursement, Nyarugwe became evasive and failed to return the money. Further investigations revealed that Nyarugwe had no connection to Mrs. Chinamasa and was not involved with Zimra in any official capacity.
Nyarugwe has been remanded in custody and will appear in court again on Thursday for a bail application. The case has raised concerns about fraudulent activities involving individuals who falsely claim ties to influential figures for personal gain.
Nyarugwe, who presented himself as "Honourable Nyarugwe," appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms. Tilda Mazhande on allegations that he misled businessman Douglas Muraza and his wife into paying the hefty sum under false pretenses.
The fraud case stems from an incident in September last year, when Mr. Muraza's bus was impounded by Zimra in Masvingo for transporting smuggled goods. According to court testimony, Nyarugwe, who had been introduced to the Muraza family by a mutual acquaintance, Kelvin Maponga, heard about the incident and offered to help facilitate the release of the confiscated goods.
Nyarugwe claimed to have close ties with Zimra's Commissioner General, Mrs. Regina Chinamasa, and assured the Murazas that he could arrange for her assistance in releasing the goods. On October 6, Nyarugwe allegedly told Mr. Muraza that Mrs. Chinamasa had requested US$10,000 to resolve the matter. Trusting Nyarugwe, Mr. Muraza handed the money over to him through his wife.
Days later, Nyarugwe took Mr. Muraza to Zimra's Masvingo offices, where he introduced himself to Zimra's Technical Services Manager, Mr. William Murashwa Gadzikwa, as a member of the Zanu-PF Central Committee. Nyarugwe allegedly informed Mr. Gadzikwa that he had come to check on the seized goods. However, Zimra advised that the release of the goods would be delayed until a report was completed.
On October 24, Mr. Muraza received an email from Zimra detailing the duty fees, fines, interest, and storage charges amounting to ZWG 893,529.59. Alarmed, Mr. Muraza contacted Nyarugwe, who claimed that he had already given the money to Mrs. Chinamasa but promised to reimburse the sum.
Despite multiple requests for reimbursement, Nyarugwe became evasive and failed to return the money. Further investigations revealed that Nyarugwe had no connection to Mrs. Chinamasa and was not involved with Zimra in any official capacity.
Nyarugwe has been remanded in custody and will appear in court again on Thursday for a bail application. The case has raised concerns about fraudulent activities involving individuals who falsely claim ties to influential figures for personal gain.
Source - the herald
