The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent —
A COUPLE that surrendered a fake piece of diamond as collateral to a local shop owner was hauled before the courts on fraud charges.
Emilia Basiyawo (56) and Tatenda Mashingaidze (28) of Number 124, Odzi and Marange Village in Marange respectively, denied the charge when they appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Yeukai Chigodora last Thursday.
Basiyawo and Mashingaidze are being charged with fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
They also face an alternative charge of being found in possession of articles for criminal use as defined under Section 40 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. They were remanded in custody to December 8.
Public Prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe alleged that on November 22 and at around 12pm, Mashingaidze went to Gliters Shop in Mutare’s Central Business District and approached the shop assistant, Tinashe Buluzi.
“They asked for $35 credit and pleaded to leave a piece of diamond as collateral. Buluzi suspected that Mashingaidze might be a fraudster and therefore alerted his employer, Ruth Mbengo.
“When Mbengo arrived at the scene, she told Buluzi to make Mashingaidze to wait,” said Mr Karombe.
Mashingaidze thought that their plan had worked and called Basiyawo into the shop.
Basiyawo had stayed outside. They then both waited inside the shop for the money as they had already surrendered the fake piece of diamond.
When Mbengo arrived, she asked for the identity of Basiyawo who introduced herself as Kudakwashe Chiadzwa and told her the reason they were at the shop.
Basiyawo is alleged to have handed the counterfeit diamond piece to Mbengo in order to get the $35. She further indicated that she would leave the fake diamond as collateral for the money.
Police were called, leading to the arrest of the pair.
