A SUSPECTED conman, who appeared in court earlier accused of posing off as a Registrar General (RG)’s employee, was arraigned again on Thursday with a new charge of impersonating a lawyer.
Beven Chipunza, 32, is also facing another fraud charge with an accomplice Tinashe Clever Mubaiwa, 32, after they allegedly conned a United Kingdom-based Marondera woman of her US$400 in the guise that they could fast-track her application for a national identity card since they were RG’s office employees.
In the latest charge, Chipunza appeared before Harare magistrate Denis Mangosi for allegedly fleecing Evelyn Chirengwa, 39, of US$3 000 while posing as a legal practitioner.
Prosecutors allege Chirengwa met Chipunza in Harare while on her way to look for a lawyer to help apply for bail for her husband at the High Court after he was recently convicted of possession of ivory.
Chipunza is reported to have told the unsuspecting Chirengwa that he was a legal practitioner attached to Dube, Tachiona and Tsvangirai Law Firm.
He also allegedly told Chirengwa that he was able to assist with the processing of bail while her husband was waiting for his appeal at the High Court.
During the period from July 10, 2021 to September 14, 2021, Chipunza is reported to have demanded various legal fees from Chirengwa amounting to US$3 000.
Sometime this month, Chirengwa persistently requested receipts for her payments from Chipunza, but he failed to produce any.
Chirengwa decided to take matters into her own hands and proceeded to Dube, Tachiona and Tsvangirai Law Firm to enquire about her husband’s case.
That is when she discovered that Chipunza did not work for the firm and that he was a bogus lawyer.
On the same day, Chirengwa allegedly made a report to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
Following his arrest, Chipunza was found in possession of a practicing certificate belonging to Tungamirai Muganhiri, a legal practitioner attached to Machaya and Associates Law Firm.
Further investigations with the Law Society of Zimbabwe revealed Chipunza was not a registered legal practitioner.
by
Dionne Kanyowa
STAFF WRITER