Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A 51-YEAR-OLD man is facing allegations of fraud and masquerading as a police officer after allegedly duping a security company boss to pay for fake firearm certificates.
Luka Fungurani appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo yesterday accused of misrepresenting himself as a ZRP superintendent capable of facilitating firearm certificate renewals.
The State alleges that in 2021, Fungurani befriended Talent Mbvuri, while the latter was employed as an administration officer at Jerusalem Security Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
During their interaction, Fungurani allegedly claimed he was a senior police officer and could assist with firearm-related issues.
It is alleged Mbvuri later introduced Fungurani to the company’s director, Dhumisani Melsketcher Karakadzai, who wanted to renew certificates for six company firearms.
Prosecutors allege that Fungurani demanded US$930 to process the registration of the firearms and issued purported firearm certificates after receiving the money.
The State further alleges that in February this year, Fungurani again convinced Karakadzai that he could renew the firearm certificates because he was a police superintendent.
Acting on the representation, Karakadzai allegedly trusted him with renewing certificates for the six firearms and paid a further US$1,080.
Investigations allegedly established that Fungurani was not a police officer and that the certificates he issued were fake.
Nothing was recovered, and the complainant allegedly suffered a total prejudice of US$2,010.
The State says it intends to rely on witness statements and the recovered fake firearm certificates as evidence.
Chipo Muvhamba prosecuted.
