News / National
Plumtree serial fraudster in court
1 hr ago |
51 Views
A 27-year-old man from Plumtree has been remanded in custody on seven counts of fraud following his appearance before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware.
Pride Sibanda was remanded to January 28 for a bail application. Prosecutor Sheila Nyathi told the court that Sibanda allegedly committed a series of fraudulent acts between November 2025 and January 2026, using a similar modus operandi in each case.
According to the State, Sibanda would approach unsuspecting victims with offers of employment or transport services to the Mphoengs area, collect upfront payments, and then disappear without fulfilling any of the agreements.
On November 6, Sibanda allegedly misrepresented to Charles Lihaka at Makariba location that he intended to hire transport to ferry goods from Mphoengs to Mberengwa, thereby fraudulently obtaining US$325.
In another incident, he is accused of deceiving Vigilence Maposa by claiming he would deliver mining parcels to Ingwizi, Mphoengs, and allegedly obtained US$600 under false pretences.
Sibanda faces five additional fraud counts, all involving similar allegations of misrepresentation and the unlawful obtaining of money.
The court also heard that Sibanda was arrested on January 12 at around 3:30pm, during which police recovered a press-button flick knife inscribed with the words "AK-47" on the blade. This led to an additional charge of possession of a dangerous weapon.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Sibanda posed a risk of interfering with witnesses and citing the seriousness of the charges. Magistrate Nembaware remanded him in custody pending a formal bail hearing.
Pride Sibanda was remanded to January 28 for a bail application. Prosecutor Sheila Nyathi told the court that Sibanda allegedly committed a series of fraudulent acts between November 2025 and January 2026, using a similar modus operandi in each case.
According to the State, Sibanda would approach unsuspecting victims with offers of employment or transport services to the Mphoengs area, collect upfront payments, and then disappear without fulfilling any of the agreements.
On November 6, Sibanda allegedly misrepresented to Charles Lihaka at Makariba location that he intended to hire transport to ferry goods from Mphoengs to Mberengwa, thereby fraudulently obtaining US$325.
In another incident, he is accused of deceiving Vigilence Maposa by claiming he would deliver mining parcels to Ingwizi, Mphoengs, and allegedly obtained US$600 under false pretences.
Sibanda faces five additional fraud counts, all involving similar allegations of misrepresentation and the unlawful obtaining of money.
The court also heard that Sibanda was arrested on January 12 at around 3:30pm, during which police recovered a press-button flick knife inscribed with the words "AK-47" on the blade. This led to an additional charge of possession of a dangerous weapon.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Sibanda posed a risk of interfering with witnesses and citing the seriousness of the charges. Magistrate Nembaware remanded him in custody pending a formal bail hearing.
Source - Southern Eye
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
