Trio Jailed Over Fake Lawyer Plot

Three men, Shaloom Nyamazana (26), Tinashe Chiwayi (28), and Nigel Godwin Mukuruzado (34) from Mutare have been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for extortion.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the Mutare Magistrates’ Court handed down the jail term for the offense, which occurred between the 25th and the 28th of August 2025. The trio conspired to defraud Sibonginkosi Ncube (38) of US$500 by falsely claiming they could help secure the release of her husband from prison

“Her husband was facing a murder charge and was in remand prison. The first offender, Nyamazana, who had earlier met the victim’s husband while in remand prison, posed as a go-between and introduced the second offender, Chiwayi as a lawyer capable of influencing court outcomes,” said the NPA statement.

The third offender later demanded payment in exchange for allegedly reducing the charge from murder to culpable homicide. When the victim realised she was being deceived, she reported the matter to the police.

“CID Mutare officers set a trap using US$150 in marked notes. Nyamazana and Mukuruzado were arrested at Halaal House Restaurant soon after receiving the money, while Chiwayi was later apprehended at Far End Night Club. The trap money was recovered,” the NPA added.

All three were convicted and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with 6 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, resulting in an effective 18-month jail term.