Stephen Charakupa, an assistant operations manager at Real Star Security Company, was brought before the court last Saturday on allegations of misrepresenting himself as an employee of the Ministry of Defence attached to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). It is alleged that he defrauded an unsuspecting complainant of US$11,750.
Appearing before Harare magistrate Mrs. Ruth Moyo, Charakupa faced two counts of theft of trust property and fraud. He was remanded in custody to March 20 for a bail application.
According to the State, between November 16 last year and January 2024, Charakupa collaborated with his wife to defraud the security company. They received information that the company was in the process of acquiring a fleet of motor vehicles from South Africa.
Charakupa approached the general manager, claiming he could facilitate the purchase of a Nissan NP300 at a lower price. He allegedly misrepresented that his wife, Anymore Mauru, held a position as a colonel at the Ministry of Defence and Security, attached to ZIMRA in Beitbridge.
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Convinced by Charakupa’s claims, the complainant entrusted him with US$10,250 for the purchase of the vehicle. However, it is alleged that Charakupa and his wife converted the money for their own use.
Additionally, Charakupa misled the complainant into believing that a 21-hectare farm in Banket was for sale, promising an allocation upon payment of a US$1,500 purchase fee. He claimed his wife had connections in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development to facilitate the purchase.
The complainant handed over US$1,500 for the land purchase, expecting to receive an offer letter in January. However, Charakupa failed to provide the letter within the agreed timeframe.