TEN Bulawayo residents, including prominent lawyer, James Mutsauki, lost various amounts of money to a suspected conman, who masqueraded as a Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) official and promised to assist them buy some impounded vehicles kept at his “workplace”. BY SILAS NKALA
The suspect, Chris Micho Dube (33), also allegedly pledged to help some of his victims acquire driver’s licences in return for bribes.
Dube yesterday pleaded guilty to nine counts of bribery, but denied one count when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Merilyn Mutshina.
Prosecutor Memory Takaedza told the court that Dube committed the offences between June 21 and November 8 this year.
It is the State’s case that on June 21, Dube demanded and was paid $196 by Khumbulani Magutshwa to facilitate acquisition of a vehicle at the VID auction.
Using the same modus operandi, on August 18, Dube pocketed $600 from Rosemary Shumba after she expressed interest in buying a vehicle from a VID depot.
Other victims were identified as Vikizitha Dlamini ($150), Charity Nkomo ($250), Ruponiso Tinarwo ($200), Vicky Luphahla ($200), James Mutsauki ($610), Dininda Dlamini ($230), Huggins Maisire ($80) and Themba Dube ($800).
After realising that they had been conned, the victims separately filed criminal reports against Dube, leading to his arrest. The matter continues today.
