Online Reporter
Court Writer
A former driver of a Supreme Court judge and his co-accused appeared before a Bulawayo provincial magistrate facing a charge of defrauding a woman of US$4 800.
The two allegedly claimed they could help secure bail pending appeal for her husband, who is serving a 10-year sentence for murder.
Zamani Gwizi (47) of Nkulumane and Henry Ntini (39) of Southwold, a former Supreme Court judge’s driver, were charged with fraud.
Gwizi was represented by lawyer Tinashe Dzipe, while Ntini was represented by a Mr Ndebele.
Both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor, Denmark Chihombe told the court that in November 2023, Jane Queen Ghoveya’s husband, Khumbulani Sithole, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
His appeal against the sentence was dismissed. Gwizi, a family friend, later visited Sithole at Khami Maximum Prison and claimed he knew someone at the Supreme Court who could facilitate bail for US$3 500.
Ghoveya eventually gave Gwizi US$4 800 to arrange the bail.
On 21 November of the same year, the Supreme Court dismissed Sithole’s appeal, and Ghoveya realised she had been defrauded. After failing to recover the money from Gwizi and Ntini, she reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest.
In court, Gwizi admitted receiving money in instalments totalling US$2 300, which he said he handed to Ntini to pay an advocate.
Ntini confirmed receiving US$2 300 but claimed he gave it to a businessman friend for safekeeping. When the bail application failed, he tried to recover the money but was unsuccessful. Ntini had also signed an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the funds.
The matter was postponed to 17 December for sentencing.
