A HARARE man who masqueraded as a member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and conned a Roman Catholic priest to provide him with free accommodation and food has been jailed for an effective two years after being convicted of fraud.
STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Gweru provincial magistrate Pathekile Msipa sentenced Nyamasaka to two-and-a-half years in prison, but suspended six months for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Marshel Nyakasaka of Waterfalls produced a fake letter purportedly from the President’s Office and demanded free food, accommodation and the use of parish vehicles for six days, claiming to be on an undercover anti-corruption mission.
In the letter, Nyakasaka said he was to be assisted with accommodation, food and a vehicle of his choice for six days to complete his “assignment”.
“We at the Central Intelligence Office, President’s Office State House, Harare request you to accommodate our president’s security agent with immediate effect from this day at your guest house,” read part of the bogus letter.
According to the State outline, on June 5, Nyamasaka produced the letter bearing the President’s Office letterhead at the Roman Catholic Church offices in Gweru.
The letter alleged that Nyakasaka was to be assisted with food, accommodation and a vehicle of his choice for six days since he was on an anti-corruption mission.
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The priest-in-charge Terrence Mapwashike, however, became suspicious after receiving the letter from Nyamasaka and reported the matter to the police.
Nyamasaka was arrested on the same day in Dalesford where he had been offered accommodation by the church.
