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Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A suspected bogus lawyer has appeared in court on allegations of practicing as legal practitioner without authorisation.
Vongai Sithole (47) was facing fraud charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi.
He was remanded in custody to tomorrow for bail application.
The complainant in the matter is Emillia Shana (42).
It is alleged that on December 1, Shana’s brother-in-law Langton Chidziva was remanded in custody for a rape case.
On the following day, Shana received a call from Chidziva’s father informing her that Sithole wanted to represent him and had charged US$1500 for bail application at the High Court.
The court heard that on December 15, Shana met Sithole at Spar Supermarket in Harare’s central business district.
They went with him to the Harare Magistrates Court where he was given US$200 after he was told that part of the legal fees would be paid later.
It is the State’s case that Sithole went to Chitungwiza Magistrates Court and entered into some offices there pretending to process papers for Chidziva’s bail application while Shana was waiting outside.
Shana became suspicious and was later told by one of the prisoners that Sithole was not a lawyer.
It is alleged that Shana requested Sithole to produce his practising certificate while they were at Market Square police base but he failed.
Sithole was arrested immediately.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter