News / National
Gweru court orders bogus lawyer to pay US$15,000
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A Gweru magistrate has ordered a man who posed as a lawyer to repay US$15,000 he fraudulently obtained from a local woman in a botched divorce settlement.
Takunda Manjokota, 37, was sentenced by Magistrate Arnold Maburo after being convicted on two counts: theft of trust property and practising law without registration, in violation of the Legal Practitioners' Act.
Manjokota had misrepresented himself to Lindiwe Moyo as a legal practitioner capable of assisting her in settling her divorce with her husband, Mthonzima Moyo, outside of court.
The State's case outlined that in January 2023, Manjokota approached Lindiwe, claiming to be a lawyer, and arranged a meeting between her and her estranged husband at an office in Gweru's central business district.
During the meeting, the couple reportedly agreed that Mthonzima would pay Lindiwe US$15,000 as part of their divorce settlement. The two parties also agreed to seek a court ruling to finalize the dissolution of their marriage, and Mthonzima transferred the US$15,000 to Manjokota's account. Additionally, Manjokota was paid US$1,500 in legal fees for his services.
However, Manjokota misappropriated the funds and used them for personal expenses instead of progressing with the divorce proceedings. When Lindiwe followed up on the matter, Manjokota became evasive, prompting her to report the issue to the police.
Upon investigation, it was confirmed by the Law Society of Zimbabwe that Manjokota was not a registered legal practitioner.
Magistrate Maburo sentenced Manjokota to 20 months in jail for theft, with three months of the sentence suspended on the condition that he pays restitution of US$15,000 to Lindiwe by June 30, 2025. Additionally, Manjokota was sentenced to 30 days in jail for practising law without registration, with the option to pay a US$200 fine in lieu of the jail time.
Lindiwe Moyo's case has highlighted the dangers of individuals impersonating legal professionals, underscoring the need for vigilance when seeking legal assistance.
Takunda Manjokota, 37, was sentenced by Magistrate Arnold Maburo after being convicted on two counts: theft of trust property and practising law without registration, in violation of the Legal Practitioners' Act.
Manjokota had misrepresented himself to Lindiwe Moyo as a legal practitioner capable of assisting her in settling her divorce with her husband, Mthonzima Moyo, outside of court.
The State's case outlined that in January 2023, Manjokota approached Lindiwe, claiming to be a lawyer, and arranged a meeting between her and her estranged husband at an office in Gweru's central business district.
However, Manjokota misappropriated the funds and used them for personal expenses instead of progressing with the divorce proceedings. When Lindiwe followed up on the matter, Manjokota became evasive, prompting her to report the issue to the police.
Upon investigation, it was confirmed by the Law Society of Zimbabwe that Manjokota was not a registered legal practitioner.
Magistrate Maburo sentenced Manjokota to 20 months in jail for theft, with three months of the sentence suspended on the condition that he pays restitution of US$15,000 to Lindiwe by June 30, 2025. Additionally, Manjokota was sentenced to 30 days in jail for practising law without registration, with the option to pay a US$200 fine in lieu of the jail time.
Lindiwe Moyo's case has highlighted the dangers of individuals impersonating legal professionals, underscoring the need for vigilance when seeking legal assistance.
Source - the herald
