News / National
Trio defrauds Econet US$54 800
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Three airtime vendors from Mutare have appeared in court facing allegations of stealing US$54,863 through a sophisticated EcoCash airtime scam after allegedly discovering a system loophole that allowed them to transfer airtime without funds being deducted from their accounts.
The accused - Marvelous Nyamutamba (41), Mitchelle Nyamutamba (28), and Panashe Muhonde (29) - are all related and were hauled before Mutare magistrate Mr Xavier Chipato on Friday. They are being charged with theft as defined under Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Representing the State, Mr Chris Manyuku told the court that between January and April 2025, Marvelous Nyamutamba discovered that when she transferred airtime through EcoCash, her balance remained unchanged while the transactions went through successfully. Upon realising this glitch, she reportedly teamed up with her two relatives to exploit the loophole.
The prosecution revealed that Marvelous conducted 312 airtime transfers worth US$39,595. Mitchelle allegedly followed suit, carrying out 260 similar transactions that totalled US$14,282. Panashe Muhonde is said to have taken advantage of the same vulnerability to make transactions amounting to US$986.
The offence came to light after Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, which operates the EcoCash platform, conducted an internal audit and discovered irregularities in airtime purchases. This led to the blocking of the affected EcoCash lines and the matter being reported to the police.
All three suspects were arrested and detained over the weekend. They appeared in court where they were granted US$150 bail each on Wednesday. As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered to reside at their given addresses and not to interfere with witnesses while the case is ongoing.
The trio is expected back in court on May 28. Econet is said to be tightening its system controls following the breach, as investigations into the full extent of the glitch and possible accomplices continue.
The accused - Marvelous Nyamutamba (41), Mitchelle Nyamutamba (28), and Panashe Muhonde (29) - are all related and were hauled before Mutare magistrate Mr Xavier Chipato on Friday. They are being charged with theft as defined under Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Representing the State, Mr Chris Manyuku told the court that between January and April 2025, Marvelous Nyamutamba discovered that when she transferred airtime through EcoCash, her balance remained unchanged while the transactions went through successfully. Upon realising this glitch, she reportedly teamed up with her two relatives to exploit the loophole.
The offence came to light after Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, which operates the EcoCash platform, conducted an internal audit and discovered irregularities in airtime purchases. This led to the blocking of the affected EcoCash lines and the matter being reported to the police.
All three suspects were arrested and detained over the weekend. They appeared in court where they were granted US$150 bail each on Wednesday. As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered to reside at their given addresses and not to interfere with witnesses while the case is ongoing.
The trio is expected back in court on May 28. Econet is said to be tightening its system controls following the breach, as investigations into the full extent of the glitch and possible accomplices continue.
Source - zimpapers
