South Africa based fugitive,serial fraudster Mlungisi Ndlovu implicated in foiled USD190k heist
Harare- THE case of three men whose attempt to defraud a private security company of US$190 000 and foiled by an alert Econet agent in September, has taken a new twist after investigations revealed that they were working in cahoots with a South Africa based fugitive and serial fraudster, Mlungisi Ndlovu.
Manase Manjovha (40), Glandstone Mthulisi Tshabalala (39) and Dalumuzi Moyo (47), all of Bulawayo, will now stand trial next month on charges of trying to defraud Real Star Security company through an internet banking scam.
According to the State outline, Manjovha was called by his friend Ndlovu on September 2, 2024 who indicated that he had mobile banking log-in credentials of the complainant, including a Zimbabwean nationaI identity card of the company director.
Ndlovu allegedly detailed a plan to defraud the security company through the unlawful transfer of money from complainant’s bank account.
Ndlovu said they needed to be in possession of the company director’s Econet line which was linked to a Nostro bank account.
The next day, Manjovha and his two accomplices received the company director’s identity card which Ndlovu sent by bus from South Africa.
On 12 September 2024, the accused persons approached an Econet agent, Taurai Mushamba, whom they requested to replace the complainant’s Econet line.
They promised to come back to collect the line but instead later sent one Jeff Chipwanyira to collect it.
It is alleged that they intended to generate a one time password (OTP) before transferring money from the company’s bank account into various accounts from where they would withdraw the money.
Their plan fell apart when Mushamba became suspicious and reported the matter to police leading to Chipwanyira’s arrest.
Chipwanyira cooperated with investigators and promised to help them arrest the three suspects.
On September 13 Manjovha, Tshabalala and Moyo were arrested in Norton after police lured them with the help of Chipwanyira.
The trio then appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Patricia Kamwanda on September 14 with Mr Zebediah Bofu prosecuting.
The investigating officer Detective Sergeant Albert Dube then applied for a warrant of further detention to allow him to carry out further investigations which the court consented to with the accused being remanded in custody to September 16, 2024.
In opposing bail, Detective Sergeant Dube averred that the three suspects were a flight risk, were likely to interfere with investigations and to commit more crimes if freed.
The suspects were however granted bail on September 18.
Detective Sergeant Dube and the complainant queried the circumstances under which the suspects had been released as two different prosecutors handled the case on the same day.
This prompted the company’s general manager, Mr Fortune Mhariwa, to request the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.
“After the court hearing, the investigating officer and I left premises going to our respective work places.
“I was surprised to hear that the court record was recalled and that the accused persons were brought back to court before magistrate Kamwanda and a different prosecutor (Mr Rufaro) Chonzi on the same day 18 September 2024 and got their freedom,” wrote Mr Mhariwa to ZACC.
He said Detective Sergeant Dube, who was ready to present more evidence nailing the accused during bail application, was never consulted.
Meanwhile Manjovha is wanted by CID Masvingo for another R300 000 fraud case under C.R. 23/06/24.
