Police probe Bulawayo bus company owner

Police in Bulawayo are investigating a local bus company owner and former United Kingdom resident, Timothy Moyo (64), following allegations that he defrauded a city woman of US$16 000 before later accusing her of forgery and fraud.

Moyo, who operated Dewa Bus and Coach Services, is accused by Ms Sithabisiwe Ncube of failing to repay a loan dating back to 2023. The case has since spiralled into a complex legal battle involving counter-accusations and civil court proceedings.

According to a police source, Ms Ncube filed a complaint in October 2025, alleging that Moyo and his wife, Mrs Astrid Bernett Moyo, borrowed US$16 000 under a signed acknowledgement of debt but failed to honour their repayment agreement.

In her statement to police, Ms Ncube said the Moyos had agreed to repay the full amount by April 2024, but only remitted US$1 000 through WorldRemit, with the transactions made by Mrs Moyo.

"After that payment, they went silent and evaded me," Ms Ncube said.

She said her lawyer later instituted a civil case, which she won on 10 January 2025. The Moyos' appeal was dismissed in March 2025, and the Messenger of Court subsequently attached their property valued at US$9 411.

However, Ms Ncube alleged that during the execution process, Moyo retaliated by filing a fraud case against her at Hillside Police Station, accusing her of forging the acknowledgement of debt.

Ms Ncube maintains that the couple still owes her US$5 589, and the matter is set to return to court soon.

In his own filings, Moyo accused Ms Ncube of falsifying documents and inflating the debt amount. According to court papers, he alleges that on 13 October 2023, Ms Ncube forged his signature on an acknowledgement of debt, falsely claiming he owed US$16 000 instead of US$6 000.

He further claims Ms Ncube presented the allegedly forged document to the Bulawayo Civil Magistrates' Court (Tredgold) under case number CG352/24, resulting in a court order that allowed her to attach property worth US$30 000.

"The accused forged the complainant's signature on the acknowledgement of debt and misrepresented the amount owed. As a result, the court granted the order in her favour, leading to the wrongful attachment of property," the document reads.

Ms Ncube is represented by Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Tashaya Law Chambers.

The matter was first heard on 17 October, during which the State and defence cross-examined Moyo. The trial is set to resume on Friday, as both parties prepare to present further evidence in a case that has drawn considerable public attention in Bulawayo's business community.