Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO lawyer, Nqobizitha Ndlovu, has been brought before the courts facing multiple counts of fraud after allegedly swindling clients of thousands of dollars in cash and assets while misrepresenting himself under the banner of the reputable law firm, Cheda and Cheda Associates.
Ndlovu, who once practised with the firm owned by retired High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate on Monday and was remanded out of custody to September 18.
According to court documents, Ndlovu systematically defrauded unsuspecting clients by exploiting the firm’s credibility and using its established reputation to win their trust. He has since been dismissed from the law firm.
The first count stems from January 23 last year, when a client, Buhle Nkomazana, approached Ndlovu for a bail application. Ndlovu allegedly charged US$2 400, of which US$1 200 was paid in cash, while the balance was settled through the delivery of two beasts.
He is accused of personally collecting the cattle from Filabusi and driving them to his farm along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport Road. No receipts were issued and the payments were never accounted for.
On the same day, in a separate case, Ndlovu is said to have opened a file for another client, Kidwell Mujuru, who was representing Zanu-PF in a matter before the High Court. Mujuru allegedly handed over US$200 after being told it was required for court disbursements. Ndlovu allegedly used only US$10 for official purposes and pocketed the remaining US$190. Again, no receipt was issued.
The third count involves an agreement of sale drawn up on August 26 last year, between three parties namely: Daught Ndlovu, Dinguthando Matshiya and Brenda Matshiya.
“For his services, Ndlovu allegedly charged R10 800, which was paid directly into his South African FNB account. He also reportedly received an additional US$4 262 from Dinguthando and Brenda Matshiya, which he claimed would cover capital gains tax fees,” read court papers.
While he signed an acknowledgment of receipt, no official firm receipt was issued, and the funds were never remitted to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).
Court documents state that Ndlovu failed to account for all the monies and assets received, effectively defrauding his clients.
A report was made to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
