Moffat Mungazi
Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
THREE airtime vendors allegedly stole US$54 863 in a EcoCash airtime transfer scam after discovering a system glitch.
The three, who are related, found that transferring airtime to a specific line did not deduct the amount from their accounts, but instead credited the transacted amount.
The suspects – Marvelous Nyamutamba (41), Mitchelle Nyamutamba (28) and Panashe Muhonde (29) – on Friday appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, facing theft charges as defined in Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 09:23).
Mr Chris Manyuku represented the State.
Mr Munyuku said the three accused persons stole US$54 863 in the form of airtime EcoCash transfers from Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd.
He said Marvelous Nyamutumba made a remarkable discovery between January and April 2025 – whenever she made an Ecocash transaction – the amount would not be deducted from her account, but would instead be successfully transferred to other accounts.
“During these periods, the three accused made different transactions in the form of airtime, which resulted in Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd Zimbabwe losing US$54 863. Marvelous Nyamutamba used her line to transact 312 ecocash airtime transactions amounting to US$39 595, while Mitchelle Nyamutamba used her line to transact 260 airtime purchases totaling US$14 282. Muhonde used his line to transact US$986 worth of airtime,” said Mr Manyuku.
The alleged offence came to light during a review of airtime purchases on the Ecocash platform, which led to the suspect’s line being blocked from further transactions.
The matter was reported to the police, resulting in the arrest of the three accused persons.
The three spent the weekend in remand prison before each being granted US$150 bail on Wednesday.
The trio is expected to return to court on May 28.
As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered to reside at their respective addresses and not to interfere with witnesses until the finalisation of the matter.
Online Reporter