Chinhoyi – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirms the arrest of Dias Chawarira on a charge of $15 000 mining claim fraud.
It is alleged that Chawarira misrepresented to Ignatious Shonhiwa that he was going to facilitate the pegging, surveying, and registration of a gold mining claim in Karoi.
Acting on the misrepresentation, the Shonhiwa allegedly paid a facilitation fee of US$15 800.
The accused allegedly issued a receipt acknowledging payment and later demanded additional funds, claiming they were needed to secure approvals from relevant authorities.
Investigations established that no such payments were required for the registration process and that the government officials purported to be involved were not aware of the alleged arrangements.
Chawarira appeared at the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court and was remanded out of custody to 13 August 2026 on USD$100.00 bail.
Meanwhile, ZACC confirmed the arrest of Gerald Mangwiro on three counts of fraud and two counts of forgery relating to the alleged illegal sale of residential stands in Harare.
It is alleged that between August 2023 and July 2026, Mangwiro misrepresented to Rongedzai Kutsapede that he would assist him to purchase a residential stand from the City of Harare.
He allegedly produced fake layout plans and offer letters, and directed the complainant to deposit US$2,370 into a bank account he falsely claimed belonged to the City of Harare.
It is further alleged that between May and July 2026, the accused deceived the same complainant into paying a further US$1,130 for another residential stand, despite knowing that he was not authorised to sell stands on behalf of the City of Harare.
Mangwiro allegedly claimed the money was for group contributions, City of Harare waiting list fees, and interview fees. On the third count, Mangwiro allegedly defrauded Kingstone Reza of US$1,080 after promising to facilitate the allocation of a genuine City of Harare residential stand and demanding payment for the stand and interview fees.
To conceal the fraud, the accused allegedly forged two City of Harare offer letters for Kutsapede and Reza on Council letterhead. He is alleged to have signed them using the name of the Director of Housing and Community Services and affixed fake City of Harare date stamps to make them appear authentic.
The total prejudice suffered by unsuspecting home seekers is US$4,580. The accused appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to 28 August 2026 on US$200 bail.