Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A Zimbabwean man wanted in the United States on allegations of tax fraud has been remanded in custody pending an extradition hearing.
Simba Nyika appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai, who remanded him in custody to Friday for the hearing.
The State, represented by prosecutor Chipo Muvhamba, produced a warrant of arrest before the court.
It is alleged that Nyika is wanted in the United States in connection with various offences involving tax fraud.
According to the State, Nyika was arrested by Interpol at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Zambia in 2023 as he was about to leave the country.
He had reportedly been on an Interpol Red Notice for more than five years in connection with the alleged offences.
After his arrest, Nyika was allowed to remain in Zimbabwe, where he reported to Interpol police before being brought before the court on Thursday.
The State alleges that the United States requested Zimbabwe to arrest Nyika, whom it described as a fugitive from justice accused of participating in a criminal scheme to unlawfully obtain income tax refunds from the US Treasury.
He is further accused of submitting numerous false and fraudulent tax returns using the stolen identities of other people.
The State said that, in terms of Section 24 of the Extradition Act, a warrant of arrest issued by a United States court must be endorsed by a Zimbabwean magistrate before extradition proceedings can proceed.
