Fraudster poses as prosecutor, sells get out of jail cards

A BULAWAYO man who allegedly masqueraded as a public prosecutor and prison officer, using multiple surnames to defraud desperate families of inmates, has appeared in court facing five counts of fraud.

Tawanda Moyo, who also used the name Tawanda Siziba, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea. He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until February 5 after his bail application was dismissed.

The State, represented by Mr Milton Moyo, strongly opposed bail, arguing that the accused is a serial offender who uses shifting identities and poses a high risk of re-offending.

“He posed as a public prosecutor and, on other occasions, masqueraded as a prison officer while defrauding community members using different surnames. If bail is granted, who exactly are we granting bail to?” Mr Moyo submitted.

Mr Ramaboea agreed with the prosecution and ruled that Moyo should remain in custody.
Prosecuting, Mr Moyo told the court that the accused targeted relatives of inmates on remand, exploiting their desperation by falsely claiming he could secure releases in exchange for money.

On 21 November 2024, at Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court, the accused allegedly approached Ms Sibusisiwe Mutambo, offering to assist in the release of her husband, who was on remand. He demanded US$120, which she deposited into his EcoCash account.

The court heard that Moyo claimed to be a prison officer stationed at Bulawayo Prison and promised to fast-track the release. After receiving the money, he allegedly became evasive, prompting the complainant to report the matter to police.

In another incident on February 19 last year, Moyo allegedly contacted Master Ngwenya, claiming to be a public prosecutor handling the case of the complainant’s sons, who were on remand at Bulawayo Prison.

He allegedly told Ngwenya that the sons needed to pay US$215 in instalments to secure their release.

The money was sent via EcoCash, after which the accused allegedly demanded more money and became evasive. Suspicious, Ngwenya visited the magistrates’ court and discovered that Moyo was not a prosecutor, leading to a police report.

On July 1, 2024, the accused allegedly approached Ms Senzo Ngwenya as she returned from Bulawayo Prison, where she had visited her husband, who was on remand on charges of physical abuse and malicious damage to property.

Claiming to be a prison officer, Moyo allegedly demanded US$174, purportedly for the public prosecutor and clerk of court. The money was sent using her sister’s mobile number, but the promised release never materialised.

In another case on November 21, 2024, Moyo allegedly approached Distance Ncube, again posing as a prison officer and offering to facilitate the release of an inmate. He allegedly provided two mobile numbers, claiming they belonged to a magistrate and a prosecutor.

Ncube reportedly sent US$250 to one of the numbers, after which the accused allegedly switched off his phone and disappeared.

The court heard that Moyo has a criminal history. In January 2023, he was arrested at Mzilikazi Police Station for theft of trust property under CR 86/01/23, using the name Tawanda Siziba. He appeared at Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court on February 7, 2023.

The current case came to light last Tuesday when detectives from the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU) arrested the accused and searched his room.

Police recovered several documents, including a court subpoena in the name of Tawanda Siziba and a national identity card bearing the name Tawanda Moyo, strengthening allegations that he operated under multiple identities to carry out his scams.

The matter continues.