The ManicaPost
Post Correspondent
A MUTARE con-artist who was trapped by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, after producing fake documents which he used to pit politicians against each other was this week sentenced to 42 months imprisonment.
Peter Zvoutete (35) was convicted on his own guilty plea to three counts of forgery, three counts of fraud and one count of possession material for criminal use when he appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira on Wednesday. In sentencing him, Mr Gwezhira said despite mitigatory facts that Zvoutete was a first offender and had not wasted the court’s time by pleading guilty, he had committed serious offences. He also said the seriousness of the offences had been worsened by the number of cases he had committed.
Said Mr Gwezhira: “What is aggravatory about your case is that all seven offences involve very senior Government offices. It is also evident that you clearly crafted everything and caused confusion.”
He further stated that Zvoutete deserved a deterrent sentence to send a clear warning to other would be offenders that committing the same offences attract heavy penalties. In mitigation, Zvoutete begged the court for forgiveness and
said he had committed the offences because he was trying to earn a living as he was unemployed.
On the three forgery charges, Zvoutete was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. He was also slapped with an 18-month jail term on the three fraud charges and six months were also suspended on condition of good behaviour. Zvoutete was also sentenced to six months imprisonment on the seventh count, of which three months were wholly suspended. He will, however, serve an effective 27 months in prison. Mr Matthew Chimutunga prosecuted.
Allegations were that Zvoutete on one occasion, superimposed the contents of a letter that he had authored to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere in which he raised a complaint against Dr Isau Mupfumi who he alleged to be interfering with the City of Mutare business. He had forged the letterhead and signature of the mayor of Mutare, Cllr Tatenda Nhemarare.
“On another occasion, Zvoutete was alleged to have forged the signature of Silas Pundo and the letterhead of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and authored it to Mr Job Whabira, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption chairman advising him of a complaint against Isau Mupfumi’s corruption and interference in the council’s business. Another forged letter
was authored to Mr Job Whabira advising him of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene purporting that Silas Pondo
had written it,” said Mr Chimutunga.
After his arrest, Zvoutete led detectives to his Morningside home where letterheads for the Provincial Medical Director, Zanu-PF and Office of the Resident Minister’s offices were recovered.
It was alleged that he intended to use the recovered letterheads for fraudulent activities.
