Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A CHITUNGWIZA man masqueraded as a pastor with, among other things, spiritual powers to heal cancer, and used that fake identity to defraud a UK-based woman of US$25,900.
Kelvin Nyamhika (33) yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Jacqueline Gara facing fraud charges.
He pleaded guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
The complainant, Mildred Zvimbvatu, is based in the UK.
The court heard that Nyamhika acquired another Econet line, registered in the name of Exter Kambalame, and assumed the identity of Pastor Mugoriwe, from a church called City of Truth.
He then used that identity to dupe Zimbvatu.
Prosecutor Kanchelskis Ropi told the court that sometime in 2023, Nyamhika, who was a friend of the complainant’s son, Tinashe Zvimbvatu (32), contacted Zvimbvatu on WhatsApp using his Econet line.
The court heard that Nyamhika developed a friendship with Zvimbvatu, who confided in him about her personal and family problems.
After Zvimbvatu relocated to the UK, the two remained in contact.
Nyamhika then hatched a plan to defraud her by claiming that he could link her with a pastor, who could spiritually heal her daughter, who was battling cancer.
The court heard that Nyamhika subsequently acquired another Econet line registered in the name of Exter Kambalame and assumed the identity of Pastor Mugoriwe from a church called City of Truth.
Nyamhika told Zvimbvatu that he had seen, through the “realm of the Holy Spirit”, misfortunes affecting her family and instructed her to send money towards prayers.
Zvimbvatu sent various amounts to Nyamhika’s EcoCash account through WorldRemit on different occasions.
The money accumulated to US$15,900, but Nyamhika allegedly continued demanding more money for the purported prayers.
The court further heard that Nyamhika later claimed he was connected to the United Kingdom Embassy and could assist Ms Zvimbvatu with visa documentation for her daughter and grandchild.
He demanded US$10,000 for the service.
Mvimbvatu sent US$6,250 to Nyamhika’s EcoCash account through WorldRemit, while her aunt, Babra Mugandani, who is based in the United States, sent the remaining US$3,750.
After receiving the money, Nyamhika became evasive and blocked Zvimbvatu on social media platforms.
She subsequently realised that she had been defrauded and reported the matter to the police.
Investigations were conducted, resulting in police sending a search and seizure warrant to Econet Wireless.
The mobile network operator provided police with Nyamhika’s particulars and call history, leading to his identification.
The total amount prejudiced was US$25,900, and nothing was recovered.
