Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A fake South African Embassy employee appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly swindling an applicant of US$300 under the pretence of assisting with a travel permit.
The accused, Blessing Mahachi, was brought before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai and has been remanded in custody pending a bail application set for today.
According to the State, the incident began on March 3 when the complainant, Leddy Muzamba, visited the South African embassy in Harare to apply for a permit.
Upon arrival, Muzamba was informed by a security guard that the embassy was closed and advised to return the following day.
As Muzamba was leaving, Mahachi allegedly approached him, falsely claiming to be an embassy employee.
He assured Muzamba that he could assist in fast-tracking the permit process. The accused charged the complainant US$257 and was paid R1 300 upfront.
Muzamba was told the balance would be payable upon collection of the permit. On May 5, Muzamba returned to the embassy to meet Mahachi and collect the permit.
Mahachi demanded the balance, but Muzamba became suspicious and requested receipts to confirm the transaction.
The following day, Mahachi contacted Muzamba and asked to meet at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to finalise the payment.
However, the complainant had already alerted the police. With the complainant’s cooperation, police set up a trap and arrested Mahachi at Parirenyatwa.
A formal fraud report was subsequently filed.
