End of the road for fraudster who preyed on desperate relatives of inmates

A BULAWAYO man, who posed as a public prosecutor and prison officer, using multiple surnames to defraud desperate families of inmates, has been convicted and sentenced to 34 months in prison.

Tawanda Moyo, who also used the name Tawanda Siziba, appeared in court yesterday before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Isheunesu Mathoba, facing six counts of fraud and pleaded guilty.
Tawanda was sentenced to six months for each count, bringing the total to 36 months. Five months were suspended on condition that he restitutes one of the complainants. Three months, which were suspended on a previous conviction, were brought into effect. Tawanda will effectively serve 34 months in prison.

In aggravation, Principal Prosecutor Mr Milton Moyo said: “He targeted desperate relatives of inmates and told them he had strong connections with the District Public Prosecutor, the judiciary system and prison service. By doing so, he put the name of the criminal justice system into disrepute.

“He planned and meticulously carried out the offences and went on a robbery spree. Tawanda committed the offences after he was convicted for theft of trust property and served a community service, but it seems he did not reform. I pray for a custodial sentence so that he will reform.”

Mr Moyo told the court that the accused targeted relatives of inmates on remand, exploiting their desperation by falsely claiming he could secure releases in exchange for money.

On November 21, 2024, at Bulawayo magistrates’ court, the accused approached Ms Sibusisiwe Mutambo, offering to assist in the release of her husband, who was on remand. He demanded US$120, which she deposited into his EcoCash account.

The court heard that Moyo claimed to be a prison officer stationed at Bulawayo Prison and promised to fast-track the release. After receiving the money, he became evasive, prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police.

In another incident, on February 19 2025, Moyo contacted Master Ngwenya, claiming to be a public prosecutor handling the case of the complainant’s sons, who were on remand at Bulawayo Prison. He told Ngwenya that the sons needed to pay US$215 in instalments to secure their release. The money was sent via EcoCash, after which the accused demanded more money and became evasive. Suspicious,

Ngwenya visited the magistrates’ court and discovered that Moyo was not a prosecutor, leading to a police report.

On July 1, 2024, the accused approached Ms Senzo Ngwenya as she returned from Bulawayo Prison, where she had visited her husband, who was on remand on charges of physical abuse and malicious damage to property.

Claiming to be a prison officer, Moyo demanded US$174, purportedly for the public prosecutor and clerk of court. The money was sent using her sister’s mobile number, but the promised release never materialised.

In another case, on November 21, 2024, Moyo approached Distance Ncube, again posing as a prison officer and offering to facilitate the release of an inmate.

He provided two mobile numbers, claiming they belonged to a magistrate and a prosecutor. Ncube sent US$250 to one of the numbers, after which the accused switched off his phone and disappeared.

The court heard that Moyo has a criminal history. In January 2023, he was arrested at Mzilikazi Police Station for theft of trust property under CR 86/01/23, using the name Tawanda Siziba. He appeared at Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court on February 7, 2023.

The current case came to light last Tuesday when detectives from the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (Pacu) arrested the accused and searched his room.

Police recovered several documents, including a court subpoena in the name of Tawanda Siziba and a national identity card bearing the name Tawanda Moyo, strengthening allegations that he operated under multiple identities to carry out his scams.