Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A 34-YEAR-OLD Mutare school principal who allegedly accused his brother-in-law of failing to repay a US$5 000 debt has found himself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with forgery for allegedly fabricating court documents used to secure a civil judgment.
Malven Marimbita, principal of Brookdell Private School in Honde Valley, appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of forgery as defined in Section 37(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
Magistrate, Mr Honest Moyo remanded Marimbita out of custody on US$150 bail.
Prosecutor, Mr Chris Munyuku, said in July, Marimbita allegedly forged signatures on court documents filed under Case Number MTRSCC783/26 at the Mutare Civil Court.
The court heard that Marimbita allegedly inserted false information into a letter of demand and forged the signature of the son of complainant, Mr Munyaradzi Mutovo, a deputy head at Ruda Primary School in Honde Valley, in an attempt to mislead the court.
Mr Munyuku said Marimbita also submitted proof-of-service documents bearing the names and signatures of purported police officers who were claimed to have served Mr Mutovo with court papers.
Investigations later revealed that the officers cited in the documents did not exist.
Mr Munyuku said the civil court relied on the allegedly fraudulent documentation and proceeded in Mr Mutovo’s absence before ultimately granting a default judgment in favour of Marimbita.
The State argued that the allegedly forged documents caused, or had the potential to cause, significant prejudice to the complainant.
Police investigations subsequently led to the recovery of the disputed letter of demand and notice of hearing, which have been seized as exhibits.
The criminal proceedings follow public controversy surrounding the civil matter, after reports emerged that Mr Mutovo had allegedly failed to repay a debt running into thousands of United States dollars.
Mr Mutovo has strongly denied the claim, maintaining that he never borrowed US$5 647 or received any loan from Marimbita.
Mr Mutovo described the allegations as defamatory and malicious, arguing that they were intended to tarnish both his reputation as a public servant and the standing of the Brookdell Group of Schools.
He further alleged that Marimbita acted in concert with other suspects who have yet to be arrested.
Mr Mutovo contended that the civil court order was obtained through forged signatures and fabricated documents rather than legitimate evidence of a debt.
Mr Mutovo said the receipts relied upon by Marimbita were denominated in Zimbabwean currency and merely reflected routine grocery and airtime purchases conducted on behalf of private clients in Mutare.
He maintained that the transactions had no relationship to Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) registrations or the enrolment of students at Brookdell institutions.
Mr Mutovo also disputed claims concerning a point-of-sale machine allegedly linked to the dispute.
He said the swipe machine had been obtained by Marimbita from his sister, who is Mr Mutovo’s wife, for use in personal business operations.
