A BOGUS State security agent, Shepherd Mangoma, on Friday appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing a charge each of impersonation, fraud and theft of trust property after he misrepresented to a local farmer that he could allocate him another farm.
Mangoma, who appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo, was granted US$300 bail.
The complainant is Kudakwashe Mbaura.
Allegations are that on August 12, 2021, Mangoma lied to the complainant that he was an employed of the President’s department and he produced an identity card to that effect.
It is alleged this made the complainant believe him and the accused misrepresented to the former that he could assist him acquire a farm.
He then tasked Mbaura with identifying the area of interest, of which he identified Grange area in Odzi, Manicaland province.
It is alleged that on the same date, Mangoma told Mbaura that he should pay US$450 so that he would give kickbacks to the “bosses” who would assist in the acquisition.
Due to the misrepresentation, Mbaura drove to Harare, handed over the money and he went back to Mutare.
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Between August 2021 and November 2023, Mangoma further hoodwinked Mbaura into believing that he should pay for farming equipments, while waiting for an offer letter from the Lands ministry, pay transport money to ferry the equipment to the farm, pay for tractor repairs, as well as travelling and subsistence fee for lands officers who were supposed to inspect the farm.
Mbaura was also asked to pay a fee for Zanu PF officials who would be assessing the farm, security fee for the security guards who would be sent from Harare by the accused person as well as donate towards the 2023 Zimbabwe Independence Day celebrations.
In total, Mbaura paid US$27 724 and ZWL$66 000 to the accused on different occasions.
At times, Mangoma would receive the money through his alleged accomplices, one Madondo and one Obert Mpofu, who are still at large.
It is alleged that in between, Mbaura would ask for documents to which Mangoma would continuously give false promises.
The court further heard that when Mbaura asked for a refund, Mangoma and threatened him with death.
Nothing was recovered.
The State further alleged in February this year, Mbaura was arrested by detectives in Mutare and he phoned Mangoma and advised him of the arrest.
Mangoma requested to talk to the detectives who had arrested Mbaura and he told them that he (Mangoma) was employed by the President’s department.
This made the complainant further believe that the accused was actually employed by the President’s department.
Mangoma offered to assist Mbaura with finding a lawyer who would assist him at Harare Magistrates Court.
It is alleged that out of trust, Mangoma was given US$900, but he did not engage the services of a lawyer.
Instead, according to the prosecution, he converted the money to personal use.
Nothing was recovered as well.
On December 23, Mbaura found out through social media that Mangoma had previously been arrested for committing an offence of a similar nature.
He then reported the matter to ZRP Mutare Central and was referred to CID PACU.
