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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
A daring Seke villager allegedly registered cellphone lines in the names of prominent Zanu-PF politicians which he used to swindle unsuspecting farmers of nearly US$5 000 through dubious farming input schemes.
Blessing Mazarura (27) would call the farmers using the fraudulently registered lines advising them that they had qualified for agricultural inputs and implements before ordering them to send money for transport through EcoCash.
The farmers would fall for the trap because the EcoCash confirmation would indicate that the recipient of the cash was the prominent politician.
The politicians whose names were used are Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, deputy secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment Cde Tendai Savanhu and committee member Cde Munacho Mutezo.
The names of Zanu-PF legislator Cde Daniel Shumba, Mashonaland East Minister of State Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, Arda chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza and MDC-T legislator Mr Innocent Gonese were also used.
Mazarura, of Murisa Village under Chief Seke, appeared before magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei yesterday who granted him US$100 bail over the charges of fraud involving US$4 867.
He was remanded to July 28.
Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira alleged that between January and June this year, Mazarura bought nine Econet lines and registered them on EcoCash in the names of the prominent politicians.
Muzarura, it is alleged, phoned several farmers from Masvingo, Mutare and Rusape and informed them that they had qualified for an agricultural inputs and farming implements scheme.
It is alleged he ordered the farmers to deposit money into the EcoCash accounts on the pretext it was meant for fuel to enable smooth transportation of the inputs and implements.
Miss Mashavira said Mazarura would advise the farmers to collect “receipts” from their local council offices as proof of payment.
Mazarura allegedly withdrew the money from EcoCash and converted it to his personal use.
Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of the Econet lines used to commit the offences.
Online Reporter