Mataz surrenders self to police

yesterday surrendered himself to the police in the company of his lawyer.
Tich Mataz – as he is popularly known – is alleged to have connived with Retired Air Commodore Kennedy Zimondi and a woman called Edith Chinyangare who are already on remand to swindle a city man of US$5 000.
Matambanadzo yesterday morning surrendered himself to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Fraud Squad at Ahmed House.
He was subsequently arrested and his lawyer Mr Wellington Pasipanodya confirmed the arrest saying he was now in police custody.
“He is currently in police custody pending finalisation of investigations.
“From the way the investigating officer was speaking, he is likely to be taken to court sometime on Wednesday for initial remand,” said Mr Pasipanodya.
Matambanadzo was last week quoted in the local media denying that police were looking for him. But police last week insisted that they were looking for him.
CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Augustine Zimbili said Matambanadzo was assisting the police with investigations and he would be taken to court when the paperwork was complete.
“We confirm we are holding Matambanadzo in custody. He surrendered himself to the police in the morning and he would be taken to court as soon as the paperwork is complete.
“He is currently assisting us with investi-gations,” said Detective Insp Zimbili.
Zimondi and Chinyangare were last week placed on remand while Matambanadzo was reportedly at large.
The trio allegedly misrepresented to Mr Jimmy Makurumbandi that they were organising a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, on Government business.
According to the State, the arrangement was that Makurumbandi would go with Matambanadzo and Chinyangare in place of Zimondi whom they claim was under sanctions.
The trio ordered him to pay US$5 000, which was to be refunded upon their return.
Makurumbandi allegedly lost US$5 000 to the trio for the trip, which never materialised.
Zimondi and Chinyangare have since appeared in court and were released on bail. Their next remand date is July 1.
However, Zimondi is facing more charges in cases separate from the one involving Matambanadzo and Chinyangare.