A Harare magistrate has issued warrants of arrest for Tinashe Pswarayi and Tauya Masunda after the pair failed to appear in court for judgment in a case involving alleged abuse of estate funds amounting to more than US$52 000.

Presiding magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai ordered the arrest of the two accused, who are facing allegations of unlawfully diverting rental income generated from properties belonging to the estate of the late liberation war veteran and medical doctor, Edward Munatsireyi Pswarayi.

During the trial, estate executor and senior lawyer Caleb Mucheche, together with the late doctor’s UK-based daughter Chenayimoyo Pswarayi, gave evidence detailing how rental proceeds from the estate were allegedly siphoned between June and November 2014, before an executor had officially been appointed.

According to court testimony, Masunda and Tinashe allegedly set up two fraudulent trusts which prosecutors say were used to channel and conceal rental income collected from estate properties. The State argues that the accused unlawfully retained more than US$52 000 in violation of Section 42 of the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:01].

The matter was brought before the courts by Takunda Pswarayi, who lives in the United Kingdom and is one of the beneficiaries of the estate.

Court proceedings revealed that Tinashe Pswarayi, who is unemployed, served as a trustee of the estate, while Masunda is the director of City Accounting and Secretarial Services and also acted as trustee for the Tondori 1 and Tondori 2 trusts linked to the deceased’s assets.

Prosecutor Polite Chikiwa told the court that Dr Pswarayi had transferred several properties into two trusts in 2009.

The first trust, Tondori 1, reportedly included Munatsireyi Service Station and a commercial property located in Machipisa, Harare. Tondori 2 allegedly held residential stands in Borrowdale Brooke and Kambuzuma, a supermarket in Kambuzuma, as well as a 51 percent stake in Tondori Farm (Pvt) Ltd in Beatrice.

Following Dr Pswarayi’s death on June 8, 2014, the properties remained under the control of the two trusts, with the accused continuing as trustees.

The State alleges that shortly after the death, the pair began collecting rental payments from tenants occupying the estate properties. Prosecutors say they collected US$9 835 in June 2014 alone but failed to hand the money over to the executor or notify the Master of the High Court as required by law.

The court further heard that between August and November 2014, the accused allegedly received an additional US$42 400 in rental income which was neither distributed to beneficiaries nor declared to the executor or the Master of the High Court.

Takunda Pswarayi, who was entitled to a 10 percent share of the estate income, allegedly received nothing during that period.

The alleged irregularities only came to light in December 2014 after Advocate Mucheche was appointed executor dative by the Master of the High Court.

The prosecution maintains that the two accused breached legal procedures governing deceased estates by failing to surrender assets and rental proceeds to the appointed executor.

Authorities say a total of US$52 235 was allegedly misappropriated, and no recoveries have been made so far.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of four suspects linked to a series of unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Masvingo.

The suspects Peace Mandizvidza (32), Edward Sibanda (27), Tapiwa Tagwirei (27), and Kumbulani Sibanda (25) are accused of carrying out multiple break-ins between December 2025 and April 2026.

According to police, the group has been connected to at least 10 cases of unlawful entry and theft. The suspects allegedly targeted homes when owners were away, breaking in and stealing various household items.

Stolen goods include electrical appliances such as television sets and refrigerators, as well as blankets and other valuables. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at US$14,330.

Police investigations have led to the recovery of items worth US$10,305 so far. Recovered property includes two television sets, a deep freezer, blankets, and other household goods.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon, while police continue with investigations.

Authorities have also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities.

Itai Mazire

A 35-year-old woman from Hillside was defrauded of USD 16 031 after responding to a Facebook advert for a grey baby Quantum vehicle, police had said.

“Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of fraud where a female adult was defrauded of her money,” said Assistant Inspector T. Ndlovu, Deputy Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province.

According to police, the victim saw an advert on 7 April 2026 at around 1000 hours “posted by an unknown accused person advertising a grey baby Quantum vehicle under the group Quality Import Cars”.

“The complainant contacted the accused person via WhatsApp and indicated that she was interested in purchasing the vehicle,” Asst Insp Ndlovu said.

“She then made payments, and the total amount paid was USD16 031.00.”

But after she paid the full agreed amount, “the accused person demanded more money.”

“This raised suspicions, and the complainant refused to make any further payment,” police said. “The unknown accused person then switched off his mobile phone and became unreachable.”

“It was then that the complainant realised that she had been duped,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

“A police report was then made. The total value defrauded is US$16 031.00, and nothing was recovered.”

Police have issued a stark warning to the public: “We appeal to members of the public to exercise caution when buying vehicles or other goods through social media platforms.

Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of sellers, inspect goods physically before making any payment and avoid transferring money to unknown persons.”