A suspected land baron allegedly scammed a company director out of US$97,289.50 after falsely claiming to own 35 residential stands for sale in Donnybrook, Mabvuku, Harare.

Peter Mubare (58) appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai charged with fraud and was remanded in custody pending a bail ruling on Friday.

The complainant is Muneni Logistics (Private) Limited, represented by its director, Obey Bvute.

The State represented by Takudzwa Jambawu alleges that on November 6, 2020, Mubare, acting in connivance with his accomplice Arthur Chidenhe, who is still at large misrepresented to the complainant that they had 35 residential stands under East Winds Trust for sale in Donnybrook, Mabvuku, at US$5.50 per square metre.
​
The court heard that the complainant reportedly met Mubare and Chidenhe at their law firm, Musengi and Sigauke Associates, in Eastlea, Harare, where the duo purported to represent East Winds Trust.

​Interested in purchasing all 35 stands, the complainant was quoted US$97,289.50.

It is the State’s case that he paid a US$13,500 cash deposit and received an agreement of sale. On the same day, he allegedly paid the remaining balance of US$83,789.50 in cash and was issued an acknowledgement of receipt.
​
However, in 2023, the complainant visited the site and discovered it was being developed by third parties who claimed ownership of the entire property.

Mubare and Chidenhe then allegedly showed him an alternative piece of land and collected a further US$1,800, purportedly for surveyor fees.
​
Upon realizing he had been duped, the complainant attempted to engage the duo, but they became evasive.

He reported the matter to the police, leading to Mubare’s arrest.

The post Land Baron in US$97k Donnybrook Stand Scam appeared first on 263Chat.

A Harare magistrate has acquitted businessman and farmer Philemon Maruta of theft of trust property charges involving nearly US$10,000 brought against him by a local woman following the collapse of their relationship.

Sandra Jeche alleged that she gave Maruta nearly US$9,650 across four transactions to buy and transport raw materials from South Africa—a deal the State claimed was never fulfilled.

Represented by Admire Rubaya, Maruta pleaded not guilty before Harare magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe, denying any trust agreement with Jeche.

In his defense, Maruta stated he was in a romantic relationship with the complainant, and any money she transferred to him was simply her repaying loans he had previously advanced to her during their affair.

He stated their financial exchanges were routine during their affair, which turned bitter when he ended it, and claimed Jeche actually owes him money.

He added that he is not even a registered dealer permitted to run the business Jeche claimed he was handling.

Maruta argued that the agreement alleged by Jeche would have breached exchange control regulations—an illegal transaction he insisted he would never have entered into.

His lawyer, Admire Rubaya, also challenged the charges as frivolous and vexatious, arguing that Jeche was abusing the criminal justice system to extort money from Maruta.

“The Complainant (Jeche) alleges in her statement that the Accused person (Maruta) was supposed to facilitate payments for alleged unnamed raw materials from suppliers in South Africa and transportation, yet the particulars of the charges are to the effect that the Accused was supposed to hold onto the money and pay it back.

“What the Complainant alleges, taken at its highest, created an alleged contractual relationship where the Accused had alleged obligations thus if at all the complainant should have instituted civil proceedings pursuing specific performance but she is abusing the criminal justice system in a bid to fast-track the repayment of money arising from a prescribed claim with the Accused person being afraid of the criminal sanction attached to criminal prosecution.”

Concurring with the defense’s argument on the improper framing of the charges, the court acquitted Maruta, concluding nearly two years of criminal prosecution.

The post Businessman Acquitted in US$9k ‘Love Affair’ Theft Case appeared first on 263Chat.

The complainant in the matter is Neeshta Urmila Patel.

Felix Mugumbate, stationed at the CID Commercial Crimes Division, told Harare magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe that he started investigating the case after the complainant reported a fake resolution shared with her via a WhatsApp message.
​
He said he engaged the ZRP Cyber Department to retrieve the specific resolution sent by the accused via WhatsApp.

​”After I obtained the document from the cyber department, I noticed that it was fake because it lacked crucial elements that make it a legal document,” Mugumbate said.

“The resolution lacked the signatures of both the complainant and the two accused persons. It was only signed by the secretary.”
​
Mugumbate added that during his investigation, he discovered that a secret meeting was held by Kanjee and his wife to award themselves 10 additional shares each without the knowledge and approval of Patel.

​”For a directors’ meeting to be held, there must be a written document issued 21 days before the actual meeting, not a WhatsApp message or a verbal notice,” Mugumbate testified. “When I verified with the complainant whether she had received an invitation to the meeting, she said she was unaware of it.”

​Mugumbate further told the court that Kanjee and his wife proceeded to submit the resolution to the Registrar of Companies without Patel’s knowledge.

He also noted that an inquiry at the High Court revealed a judgment that had already nullified the document.
​
The State, represented by Lawrence Gangarahwe, alleges that on August 16, 2024, Kanjee and his wife submitted a forged resolution to the Registrar of Companies, claiming it had been approved by all directors to alter the shareholding structure.

Acting on this alleged misrepresentation, the Registrar processed the changes, resulting in each accused gaining 10 additional shares without Patel’s knowledge or consent.

It is the State’s case that these actions prejudiced the proper administration of the company.

​The matter was remanded to October 14 for a ruling on an application for discharge after Kanjee’s lawyer, Paida Saurombe, indicated his intention to file the application following the State closing its case.

The post Court Hears of ‘Fake’ Resolution in Headmaster’s Share Row appeared first on 263Chat.

A Harare fitness trainer who stole US$1 000 from a client’s vehicle at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale has been sentenced to 420 hours of community service.

​Tinashe Gandari admitted to the theft when he appeared before magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini.

He was initially handed a 15-month jail sentence.

However, three months were suspended for five years, while the remaining 12 months were set aside on condition that he performs community service at David Livingstone Primary School.

​The court heard that on October 14, 2025, gym-goer Allen Badzarigere left US$1000 in the glove box of his Mercedes-Benz GLE and placed his keys inside a gym bag.

While Badzarigere was exercising, Gandari sneaked into the bag, took the keys, and stole US$1000 from the car.

Badzarigere noticed the missing cash after his workout and reported the matter to the police leading to Gandari’s arrest.

The post Fitness Trainer Turns Thief, Gets Community Service appeared first on 263Chat.

Two men from Guyu in Matabeleland South province have each been jailed for nine years for stealing and slaughtering a cow that had strayed across the Zimbabwe-Botswana border.

Agreement Bhebhe (34) of Kafusi Dam Village and Kepaletso Nyathi of Kafusi Dip Village were convicted of stock theft by the Gwanda Magistrates Court.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the pair acted together on 31 May 2026 after spotting a stray brown cow at the Shashe grazing lands along the border.

“The two offenders acted together and targeted a stray brown cow at the Shashe grazing lands along the Zimbabwe-Botswana border,” said NPAZ.

The animal was identified through a Botswana brand mark, ADZ5 and ear tag number BW19833411.

According to prosecutors, the men slaughtered the cow and divided the carcass between themselves.

Their actions came to light after police received a tip-off and launched an investigation.

Officers recovered the brown hide from Nyathi with the Botswana brand mark and ear tag still intact.

“Following a tip-off, police launched investigations which led to the recovery of the brown hide from Nyathi, with the Botswana brand mark and ear tag still intact,” NPAZ said.

Police also recovered a portion of the meat from Bhebhe.

A member of the Botswana Police Service was subsequently brought in to verify ownership of the animal.

The officer confirmed that the brand mark and ear-tag number belonged to a Botswana national.

The stolen cow was valued at US$500.

The two men will now serve nine years in prison each.

The post Nine Years for Men who Slaughtered Botswana Cow appeared first on 263Chat.

A 35-year-old Mutare man has been sentenced to an effective 17 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 33-year-old mentally challenged woman.

The Mutare Regional Court heard that the incident occurred on November 15, 2025 when the victim was returning home after visiting a neighbouring village.

According to the prosecution, the accused lured the victim into his house claiming that he wanted to discuss an issue with her before proposing a romantic relationship which she rejected.

“The offender forcibly lifted her, placed her on his bed and threatened to bite her if she screamed. The offender lowered his trousers and raped the victim, initially using protection before continuing without protection,” the prosecution said.

The court heard that the accused subsequently assaulted the victim before locking her inside the room and briefly leaving to fetch water.

“The offender locked the victim in the room, briefly left to fetch water and returned to rape her again,” the prosecution said.

Later that evening, at around 9pm, the accused took the victim towards her homestead but changed direction after finding that her family members were still awake.

He then ordered her to sleep at her uncle’s house where she spent the night outside the kitchen.

The following day, the victim told the incident to a fellow villager who reported the matter to the police, resulting in the accused’s arrest.

“The following day, the victim disclosed the incident to a fellow villager who subsequently reported the matter to the police,” the prosecution said.

The accused was subsequently convicted and sentenced to an effective 17 years’ imprisonment.

The post Man Jailed for Raping Mentally Challenged Woman appeared first on 263Chat.

​Kefas Maunganidze appeared before Harare Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa and was granted US$500 bail.

​State prosecutor Lawrence Gangaridza alleges that on August 27, 2026, at around 7:00 PM, the complainant was relaxing on a bed in her mother’s bedroom when the accused entered while talking on his phone.

After a lengthy phone conversation, Maunganidze began shouting at the complainant about her sister’s graduation. The complainant remained silent.

​He then allegedly strangled her with one hand while pulling down her tracksuit bottoms with the other, pinning her face-up on the bed. The court heard that he then sexually assaulted her without her consent.

​Afterward, the complainant informed her sister while bathing in the bathroom.

Her sister alerted their parents, who accompanied the complainant to Mabelreign Police Station to file a report.

Police attended the scene and arrested the accused.

The post Zanu PF Official Faces Rape Charges appeared first on 263Chat.

A 20-year-old Mhondoro man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of vandalising and stealing ZESA electricity infrastructure worth US$740.

Delvin Majuta of Mugwagwa Village under Chief Murambwa in Mamina was sentenced by the Kadoma Magistrates’ Court for stealing copper cables from a ZESA transformer.

It is the State case that Majuta and an accomplice who is still at large broke into the ZINWA Irrigation Scheme Pump House B in Mamina at around 0230 hours on August 26, 2026.

“The offender and an accomplice, who remains at large, entered the ZINWA Irrigation Scheme Pump House B in Mamina. Using hacksaws, a hammer, metal blades and spanners, they cut armoured copper cables from a ZESA transformer,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ)

The suspects allegedly stripped the insulation from the cables before packing the copper into two sacks.

NPAZ said the theft was discovered by security guards during a perimeter check with the guards following footprints to Chidzenga Bus Stop where the suspects were waiting for transport.

“When approached, the suspects fled, abandoning the stolen property. Police investigations later led to the arrest of the offender at his homestead,” said NPAZ.

The recovered copper cables weighed 37.6 kilogrammes and were valued at US$740.

The cables were positively identified by experts from the ZESA Loss Control Department and produced in court together with the tools used in the offence as exhibits.

The post Copper Cable Theft Lands 20-Year-Old 10 Years in Jail appeared first on 263Chat.

A 34-year-old Harare woman accused of unlawfully repackaging sugar into 2kg bags bearing the Tongaat Hulett brand at a Southlea Park residence has been granted US$200 bail by a local magistrate.

Spiwe Mutandwa appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai charged with fraud.

The matter was remanded to 24 September.

The complainant in the matter is Tongaat Hulett (Pvt) Ltd.

The State, represented by prosecutor Chipo Muvhamba alleges that on 29 August 2026, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) received information that Mutandwa was repackaging sugar into 2kg bags bearing the Tongaat Hulett brand without the company’s knowledge or authorization.

It was further alleged that the repackaged sugar was underweight.

On the same date, a team of ZACC officers conducted surveillance that led to a search and raid on the premises where a Toyota Dyna truck was found parked.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of sugar packed in 2kg bags bearing the Hulett brand.

The packaging was allegedly a replica of the packaging ordinarily used by Tongaat Hulett.

A further search of the residence led to the recovery of empty branded 2kg bags alongside packaging equipment—including sealers, a blower, and a weighing scale—allegedly used in the operation.

The total quantity of sugar recovered was approximately 3 600 kilograms.

Mutandwa was allegedly found in possession of the sugar and packaging materials actively repackaging the product with the intention of distributing and selling it to the public.

The post Bail for Woman in Fake Hulett Sugar Scam appeared first on 263Chat.

Sabelo Malunga appeared before Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo facing a charge of hacking.

He was remanded in custody pending his bail hearing.

The prosecution, led by Mr Blessed Songozo, alleges that Malunga exploited access he obtained while working as an Information Technology intern at CABS between November last year and 23 February this year.

According to the State, the alleged cyber breach was uncovered in March and April after the bank detected suspicious transactions involving its VISA and ZIPIT platforms.

The court heard that on 27 March, VISA flagged two suspicious international ATM transactions involving CABS-issued debit cards.

CABS subsequently blocked the affected accounts, but the bank had already suffered an actual loss of US$210 500. Nothing has been recovered from those transactions.

On 13 April, the bank’s IT team allegedly discovered several malware infections on its servers during an internal investigation.

Further analysis allegedly showed that the malware was being used to create ZIPIT transactions and inject them directly into Zimswitch, bypassing CABS’ internal controls.

A reconciliation exercise subsequently uncovered 1 911 fraudulent ZIPIT transactions worth US$925 679 which were allegedly sent to EcoCash, InnBucks, CBZ and Ecobank.

The State said CABS then engaged South African digital forensics firm MWR to contain and remove the malware and investigate the alleged breach.

A forensic report allegedly linked Malunga to the cyberattack.

The court heard that on 23 January, while working at CABS and using a company-issued laptop, Malunga allegedly downloaded an application called SUPREMO without authorisation.

He allegedly concealed the application within system files to prevent it from being detected.

SUPREMO is a remote-access tool which the prosecution alleges allowed Malunga to remotely access CABS’ data and computer systems.

The State further alleges that Malunga continued using the application to gain unauthorised access to the bank’s systems and servers even after his internship ended on 23 February.

He is accused of installing malware that allegedly facilitated the unauthorised approval of transactions, fraudulent ZIPIT transfers through Zimswitch, fictitious transactions routed to Ecobank through an integration system and the creation of fake telegraphic transfers.

The prosecution alleges that the transactions resulted in CABS suffering an actual prejudice of US$1 136 179.

The post MSU Student Accused of Masterminding US$1.1m CABS Cyber Fraud appeared first on 263Chat.