A 31-year-old man from Belvedere, Harare, was arrested last week by the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) for allegedly scamming victims by falsely claiming to drill boreholes for US$350 through a programme he claimed was endorsed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Samuel Mutendi.
Perfectman Dhafete faces charges under Section 137 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], that is, theft by false pretences, fraud, and false advertising.
The scam involved deception and misrepresentation, as Dhafete falsely claimed to be affiliated with both the President and Bishop Mutendi while pretending to offer borehole drilling services under a non-existent programme.
He allegedly collected money from victims without delivering any services.
Complainants Clapperton Mucheki and Rosemary Chakacha reported losing money to Dhafete and an accomplice, Susan Sibanda, who remains at large.
SARACO apprehended Dhafete at Harare Gardens, where he admitted to collecting money from the complainants.
He appeared before a Harare magistrate and was granted $80 bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 24, 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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A man in Harare pretended he could dig boreholes for people for money. He said the program was supported by the President and a church leader. He took money from people but didn't do the work. He got caught by the police and admitted to taking the money. He was given bail and will go to court in 2024. His accomplice is still on the run. Don't believe everything people tell you, always be cautious.

Harare Man Defrauds Residents In Fake Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme

A Ruwa Local Board Municipal Police Officer, Lucia Sithole (44), was arrested on Friday, September 27, by members of the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a commuter omnibus driver.
According to a memo addressed to the SARACO Chief Corruption Prevention Intelligence Officer by an Assistant Deputy Director of Operations, Sithole now faces charges of criminal abuse of office as defined by Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The allegations are that on September 27, 2024, at approximately 8:20 AM, Sithole and two other municipal police officers were on duty conducting traffic enforcement along the Harare-Mutare highway near the George shopping Centre in Ruwa. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
A Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus registration No AFE 7538 travelling from Harare to Goromonzi stopped at the market Bus stop along the highway and suddenly a municipal traffic officer emerged and placed a steel bar in the wheel of the commuter omnibus.
</blockquote>
All passengers were ordered to disembark and three municipal police officers jumped inside and ordered the driver to proceed to their council yard. As this was happening the other male officer was writing a fine ticket.
It is alleged that the driver of the kombi and the three municipal police officers left for the council yard, and along the way just near the shops, Sithole asked for twenty dollars from the driver.
The driver said that he had US$10 but she rejected it and insisted on $20.
After the driver gave her two US$10 notes, Sithole then instructed him to make a U-turn and drop them off immediately. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
The driver drove back to where he had dropped his passengers and advised the three Southern Africa Regional Anti Corruption Organisation members who had earlier on introduced themselves to him before boarding the commuter omnibus at Fourth Street.
</blockquote>
The three members of SARACO contacted their female counterpart nearby and approached the municipal police officers.
They requested that the officers empty their pockets of all cash, but Sithole refused to comply.
Subsequently, the SARACO members searched her and discovered US$45 in her shirt pockets. Two of the US$10 bills matched the photographs taken by the kombi conductor before the money was handed over to the driver.
Sithole was then arrested and taken to Ruwa Police Station, where Chief Inspector Tinarwo was informed.
A docket was opened for violating Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, registered under ZRP Ruwa RRB number 6160549.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A police officer in Ruwa was caught taking a bribe from a driver by SARACO. The officer, Lucia Sithole, along with two others, stopped a commuter omnibus and demanded money. The driver gave them US$20, but they asked for more. SARACO members intervened and found the money on Sithole. She was arrested and charges were filed against her. The incident happened on the Harare-Mutare highway. Being caught taking bribes is against the law.

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