By Judith Nyuke
A transporter reportedly lost US$10,000 to a Harare man who, masquerading as a ZANU PF Central Committee member, falsely claimed he could facilitate the release of the transporter’s bus and groceries seized by Zimra officials last year.
Wilbert Nyarugwe appeared before Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande charged with fraud. The matter was remanded to Thursday for bail ruling.
The complainant in this matter is Douglas Muraza. He is the co-director of Golden SHYPA Investments.
The State represented by Anesu Chirenje alleges that sometime in September 2024, the complainant and his wife Shylet Masendeke were introduced to the accused by their friend Kelvin Maponga.
The accused told the complainants that he was a Central Committee member and referred to himself as Honourable Nyarugwe.
The Court heard that on the 3rd of October 2024, Muraza’s bus (Shassell Logistics) was seized by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) enforcement officials in Masvingo for carrying smuggled goods. ZIMRA officials seized groceries belonging to Muraza which were in the bus.
On the same date, Nyarugwe arrived at Muraza’s place of business and found him discussing about the seized goods with Shylet Masendeke. He interjected and told Muraza not to worry about the seized goods as he was going to facilitate their release.
It is the State’s case that Nyarugwe informed the parties that he personally knew and was in good relations with the ZIMRA Commissioner General Mrs Regina Chinamasa and would engage her so that she could assist in the matter.
Further allegations are that on the 6th of October 2024, Nyarugwe sent a text message to the complainant informing him that the officers required USD 10 000-00 so as to release the goods.
On the same date, Nyarugwe visited the complainant’s place of business and told Muraza who was in the company of Shylet Masendeke that the ZIMRA Commissioner General needed USD 10 000-00 so as to facilitate the release of the goods at a penalty and customs excise duty not exceeding USD 10 000-00.
Muraza complied and Shylet Masendeke handed over USD 10 000-00 to Nyarugwe in the presence of the complainant and their manager Precious Mangi. Precious Mangi then recorded in their expenses book that the accused had taken the money.
The court also heard that a few days later, Nyarugwe instructed Muraza to go with him to ZIMRA Masvingo to follow-up on the release of the goods.
The accused introduced himself as a ZANU PF Central Committee member to William Murashwa Gadzikwa who is the Masvingo ZIMRA Technical Services manager and informed him that he had come to check on the letter.
Nyarugwe was advised that they were still waiting for the report from the Enforcement section so that they could compile the release terms.
On the 24th of October 2024, Muraza received a letter from ZIMRA on his email address. According to the letter, they were supposed to pay ZWG 893,529.59 duty plus 100 percent fine equivalent to duty, pay interest from date of seizure and also pay storage charges.
The complainant contacted the accused enquiring on why the terms of release were not as per their agreement. The accused stated that he had given the money to Mrs Regina Chinamasa but promised to reimburse the money to the complainant.
Nyarugwe then became evasive and has not yet reimbursed the money.
Investigations managed to reveal that Nyarugwe was not in any way connected to the ZIMRA Commissioner General and did not personally know her.
The total prejudice suffered by the complainant as a result of the accused person’s conduct is USD10 000-00 and nothing was recovered.
