Former councillor jailed for fraud

Lovemore Kadzura
A FORMER Rusape Town councillor Teddy Chipere was on Monday jailed for two and half years after he was convicted of defrauding a resident of $350.

Chipere (38) of ZBS 2271, Vengere who is also Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe Nyanga North shadow Member of Parliament will, however, serve two years behind bars after provincial magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi, suspended six months on condition that he restitute Elisha Mundende his money.

Chipere who was performing community service at the court told Sekesai Chisuko that he was well connected to the magistrate who was handling the indecent assault case her uncle, Elisha Mundende was facing and demanded $1 000 as facilitation fee for a lighter sentence.

Chipere, who was not represented and was in custody, was found guilty of contravening Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23 which criminalises fraud.

Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Chawatama told the court that Chipere had already received $350 and a 5 in 1 home theatre and was arrested when he was given $250 trap money.

“On the date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the period extending from December 1, 2015 to January 7, 2016, Chipere misrepresented to Sekesai Chisuko that he had facilitated for her uncle, Elisha Mundende who was facing allegations of indecent assault to be given community service. Chipere alleged that he had paid the magistrate who was handling Mundende case the sum of $1 000 and wanted his money back.

“The accused was first paid $150 at the beginning of the month of December 2015, the following day he was paid $100 at Mukwena Carpenters along Vengere Road. Chipere continued to demand the alleged outstanding balance and was paid $100 on December 10, 2015.

“On January 6, 2016, Chipere sent his son to the complainant’s house where he took a 5 in 1 home theatre saying the complainant was delaying to clear the outstanding balance. On that same day at around 2pm, Mundende then reported the matter at CID Rusape after being informed by a reliable source that Chipere was committing an offence,” said Mr Chawatama.