Mphoko's son accuses Welshman Ncube of US$1 million share deal fraud

The son of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has accused prominent lawyer and opposition politician Welshman Ncube of defrauding him of more than US$1 million in a disputed share transaction involving retail chain Choppies Zimbabwe.

Siqokoqela Mphoko alleges that Ncube, who acted as his legal representative during negotiations relating to the sale of shares in Nanavac Investments, trading as Choppies Zimbabwe, misled him over the value and payout of the transaction.

The allegations have also drawn the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) into the dispute, with Siqokoqela accusing law enforcement authorities of failing to act on a report he lodged several years ago.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Siqokoqela claimed that investigators handling his case had informed him that the docket had been transferred to Police General Headquarters in Harare and that no action would be taken without further instructions.

"It's sad that I reported Welshman Ncube to ZRP and I was told by the investigating officer that my docket was called for and taken to Police HQ in Harare. Investigating officers say if no instruction comes from Harare Police HQ, they will not act," he wrote.

Attached to the social media post was a copy of a recorded police statement referenced as CR90/07/2020.

According to the statement, Siqokoqela said he retained Ncube's legal services following disputes with fellow shareholders in Nanavac Investments, which operated Choppies Zimbabwe.

He stated that he held a 25.5 percent shareholding in the company and, together with his father, owned a combined 51 percent stake.

The complainant alleges that after relations with other shareholders deteriorated, he and his father decided to dispose of their shareholding and engaged Ncube to represent them in negotiations with Botswana-based Choppies Enterprises.

According to Siqokoqela, the combined value of the shares held by him and his late father amounted to approximately US$2.9 million, while his individual 25.5 percent stake was reportedly valued at US$1.35 million.

He claims that Choppies Enterprises completed the acquisition and publicly disclosed the transaction to its shareholders.

"The money was deposited into the accused person's trust account. As per agreement, Professor Welshman Ncube was to get US$100,000 for legal representation," Siqokoqela alleges in his statement.

He further claims that in April 2019, Ncube advised him that there was no need for him to personally attend processes with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) relating to capital gains tax obligations, indicating that he would handle the matter on his behalf.

Siqokoqela also alleges that he was later presented with a Deed of Settlement and an addendum concerning the payment arrangements.

According to his statement, he was informed that the proceeds had been received in RTGS form despite the transaction having been agreed in United States dollars.

He claims that Ncube later undertook to pay him in United States dollars through instalments.

However, Siqokoqela alleges that he ultimately received only US$162,287, significantly less than the US$1.35 million he says was due to him.

As a result, he claims he suffered a loss of US$1,187,713 and subsequently reported the matter to the police.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and no findings have been made against Ncube regarding the claims.

Efforts to obtain comment from Ncube, a partner at Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, were unsuccessful at the time of publication. He has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The matter remains under police consideration, with no indication yet from authorities on whether criminal charges will be pursued.