Zvikomborero Parafini
A MAN lost US$2 500 to a bogus prosecutor who tricked him into believing he could facilitate the release of a relative who had been remanded in custody.
The suspect, Tom Muzanga, appeared in court and was released on US$100 bail.
The court heard that in December last year, Tedius Tagarira and his cousin, Charles Kamhuka, were walking from the Harare Magistrates’ Court discussing their relative’s case after he had been remanded in custody pending trial.
Muzanga, who was eavesdropping, approached the two and introduced himself as a public prosecutor at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
The State said he told the cousins that he could facilitate the release of their relative, Advance Kamhuka, from remand prison.
Muzanga charged them US$3 000 for the service.
Tagarira said he only had US$2 500.
Muzanga took the cash and promised to facilitate Kamhuka’s release the following day.
However, Kamhuka was denied bail the next day and was remanded back in remand prison.
Tagarira called Muzanga to inquire why Kamhuka hadn’t been released and he told him that he was on holiday.
Tagarira made several attempts to recover his money but Muzanga became evasive and even changed phone numbers.
Tagarira realised that he had been duped and, upon enquiring at the court, he was told that Muzanga wasn’t a prosecutor.
Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State.