3 in court over alleged EcoCash theft scheme

Three Bulawayo men have appeared in court facing multiple theft charges after allegedly manipulating an EcoCash software system to steal money from customers' mobile money accounts.

Nimrod Sibanda (20), Mbongeni Dube (18) and Delight Ncube (24) appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Isheunesu Matova facing six counts of theft.

Sibanda faces an additional two counts of theft linked to separate incidents allegedly carried out using a similar method.

According to court papers, the trio allegedly stole a combined US$2,102 and ZWL$45,200 from several EcoCash account holders. Sibanda is separately accused of stealing a further US$721 in additional cases.

The accused were each granted US$150 bail and are being represented by Tinashe Tashaya of Tashaya Law Chambers.

Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that on June 15, near a food outlet close to Tredgold Building in Bulawayo, the accused allegedly used software identified as "Yamurai" to unlawfully access and steal funds from EcoCash customers.

The State alleges that the trio initially stole US$1,669 and ZWL$11,500 from one account holder before using the same method to take a further ZWL$20,600 and US$75 from another victim.

"The accused persons further used the same modus operandi to steal US$18. They took another ZWL$2,100 from Peter Matsika's EcoCash account, US$340 from Edmore Maphosa's account and a further ZWL$11,000 from Emmanuel Chakauya," Rugara told the court.

The prosecution further alleges that Sibanda, acting independently in separate incidents, stole US$270 from Letwin Makombe and US$451 from Dzinoreva Mhangarai using similar techniques.

The State opposed bail, arguing that the offences involved the manipulation of electronic systems and that the accused could interfere with digital evidence or continue committing similar crimes if released.

"Your Worship, Sibanda was the main actor in the commission of the offence. He is employed at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and was responsible for providing information to his co-accused Ncube," Rugara submitted.

"The evidence linking the accused persons to the offence is electronic in nature. Given the delicacy of the matter, the State fears they may tamper with evidence if released. They may also continue committing similar offences."

In response, Tashaya argued that the prosecution had failed to provide compelling reasons to justify denying bail.

"Bail is a constitutional right that can only be denied where compelling reasons exist. The submissions by the State do not establish such reasons," he said.

The defence lawyer maintained that the accused remain innocent until proven guilty and argued that the allegations would need to be tested during trial.

Tashaya also disputed claims that his clients had access to sensitive EcoCash systems, arguing that agents do not ordinarily have access to customers' confidential information.

"Agents do not have access to clients' information unless the Econet systems are porous. Even if a SIM card is replaced, the EcoCash PIN remains the secret of the account holder," he said.

"Chances are high that you are holding the wrong people before this court."

The matter is expected to return to court as investigations continue and prosecutors seek to present electronic evidence allegedly linking the accused to the transactions.