Don Makanyanga
CheckPoint Desk
A CHITUNGWIZA Municipality ambulance assistant has been sentenced to seven months in prison after defrauding a Marondera man of US$1 500 by promising to facilitate his admission into a nursing training programme.
Patrick Tapfumaneyi appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Evelyn Mashavakure on November 12, facing a fraud charge as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The court heard that in January 2025, the complainant, Tafadzwa Raymond Zhakata (27), who was seeking an opportunity to enrol for nursing studies, was referred to Tapfumaneyi by his sister, Natasha Kugarakupi.
Tapfumaneyi allegedly claimed that he worked at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and could assist Zhakata in securing admission into a nursing training programme.
He reportedly demanded US$600 for the arrangement, prompting Zhakata to send him US$300 through an EcoCash agent towards the end of January 2025.
The complainant made another US$300 payment in February 2025, using the accused’s mobile number, 0783430210.
Tapfumaneyi allegedly assured him that he would secure admission during the May 2025 intake.
However, when the promised admission failed to materialise, Tapfumaneyi shifted the promise to the September 2025 intake.
The court further heard that when the September intake also passed without success, Tapfumaneyi demanded an additional US$900, claiming it was necessary to secure the admission.
Zhakata reportedly raised the money and handed it to the accused in cash in October 2025, but was still not enrolled.
The accused subsequently became evasive and allegedly gave inconsistent explanations whenever the complainant approached him over the matter.
He later refunded Zhakata US$200, but the complainant eventually realised that he had been defrauded and reported the matter to the police.
The total prejudice amounted to US$1 500, with US$200 having been recovered.
Tapfumaneyi was convicted after pleading guilty to the charge.
He was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, with two months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.
A further five months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant the outstanding amount on or before December 8, 2026.
