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Fungai Lupande Harare Bureau
A BANK lost $124,000 to three conmen who posed as officials from the Zimbabwe National Army, a court heard.
The trio – all on the run – went to Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) branch in Chinhoyi on June 30 last year and claimed they were senior officers from Inkomo Barracks and intended to open a ZNA Imprest Account.
The trio presented fake national identity cards in the names of Herbert Tichaona, Stephen Nyamururu and Samson Phiri.
They also presented a fake application letter with a fake ZNA date stamp and letterhead written by a Major M. Magarasei, who does not exist.
They also submitted passport-size photographs and fake proof of residence indicating that they all resided at Inkomo Barracks.
Subsequently, an account was opened in the name of ZNA.
On July 4, they returned to the bank with a fake letter from the Ministry of Finance instructing CBZ to transfer $127,000 from its account to the ZNA Imprest account.
The following day, Honono proceeded to CBZ and withdrew $63,000 and another $61,600 five days later.
The crime came to light after the bank received a tip-off, leading to internal investigations. The bank lost $124,600 and nothing was recovered.
Police had arrested one of the suspects, David Mubulelo Honono, 49, of Lusaka Lines in Highfield, Harare, but he was released on bail.
Yesterday, he failed to appear before Harare magistrate Adonia Masawi for his trial, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Honono’s 2wtwo accomplices have evaded arrest, said prosecutor Liberty Gono.
Online Reporter