News / National
Ex-Supreme Court Judge's driver up for fraud
9 hrs ago |
266 Views
A former Supreme Court judge's driver and his associate have appeared in court in Bulawayo facing allegations of defrauding a woman of US$4 800 after falsely claiming they could secure bail pending appeal for her incarcerated husband.
Zamani Gwizi (47) of Nkulumane and Henry Ntini (39) of Southwold, who once served as a driver to a Supreme Court judge, were arraigned before a Bulawayo provincial magistrate on charges of fraud. Gwizi is represented by lawyer Tinashe Dzipe, while Ntini is being represented by Mr Ndebele. Both men pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
According to the State outline presented by prosecutor Denmark Chihombe, the complainant, Jane Queen Ghoveya, is the wife of Khumbulani Sithole, who was convicted of murder in November 2023 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. After Sithole's appeal was dismissed, Gwizi - a family acquaintance - allegedly visited him at Khami Maximum Prison and claimed he could assist in securing bail through contacts at the Supreme Court for US$3 500.
Believing the claim, Ghoveya later handed over US$4 800 to Gwizi for the purported bail arrangement. However, on 21 November 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed Sithole's appeal, and Ghoveya realised she had been misled. Efforts to recover the money from both men reportedly failed, prompting her to file a police report that led to their arrest.
In court, Gwizi admitted to receiving US$2 300 in instalments, which he said he handed to Ntini for onward transmission to an advocate. Ntini confirmed receiving the same amount but stated he had given it to a businessman friend for safekeeping and later failed to retrieve it when the bail bid collapsed. He had also signed an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the funds.
The matter has been postponed to 17 December for sentencing.
Zamani Gwizi (47) of Nkulumane and Henry Ntini (39) of Southwold, who once served as a driver to a Supreme Court judge, were arraigned before a Bulawayo provincial magistrate on charges of fraud. Gwizi is represented by lawyer Tinashe Dzipe, while Ntini is being represented by Mr Ndebele. Both men pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
According to the State outline presented by prosecutor Denmark Chihombe, the complainant, Jane Queen Ghoveya, is the wife of Khumbulani Sithole, who was convicted of murder in November 2023 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. After Sithole's appeal was dismissed, Gwizi - a family acquaintance - allegedly visited him at Khami Maximum Prison and claimed he could assist in securing bail through contacts at the Supreme Court for US$3 500.
Believing the claim, Ghoveya later handed over US$4 800 to Gwizi for the purported bail arrangement. However, on 21 November 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed Sithole's appeal, and Ghoveya realised she had been misled. Efforts to recover the money from both men reportedly failed, prompting her to file a police report that led to their arrest.
In court, Gwizi admitted to receiving US$2 300 in instalments, which he said he handed to Ntini for onward transmission to an advocate. Ntini confirmed receiving the same amount but stated he had given it to a businessman friend for safekeeping and later failed to retrieve it when the bail bid collapsed. He had also signed an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the funds.
The matter has been postponed to 17 December for sentencing.
Source - Sunday News
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
