Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE-based stockvel scheme has collapsed under suspicious circumstances, leaving two women swindled of a combined US$6 400.
Rutendo Muza (23), who is believed to be the leader of the scheme, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo facing two counts of fraud.
She was remanded in custody and is expected back in court for a bail hearing.
The complainants are Michelle Brigitti Manikwa and Khanyisile Sihle Ncube.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that in February 2026, Manikwa came across an advertisement on Facebook promoting a stockvel operated under the name “Nguva Women of Wonders.”
She contacted Miriam Muza, who is still at large, and was directed to an office at the corner of Fife Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street in Harare, where she met the accused.
Manikwa paid a US$100 joining fee and was instructed to contribute US$1 500 monthly.
She deposited US$1 500 in February and a further US$1 700 in March, expecting significant returns.
However, the scheme got exposed when another participant, identified only as Faith, reportedly received just US$1 700 instead of the anticipated US$6 000 payout.
Attempts to contact the organisers proved futile as their phones were switched off.
Manikwa later visited the office, only to discover that it had been vacated.
In a similar incident, Ncube was allegedly defrauded under the same arrangement.
She paid a US$100 joining fee and made monthly contributions of US$1 500 in February and March. She, too, was alerted by Faith that payouts were far below expectations.
When she tried to follow up, she found that the accused had disappeared.
