Home Crime & Courts Gweru bogus lawyer sentenced

Gweru bogus lawyer sentenced

by commuadmin

Michelle Masanga

GWERU: Recently convicted for theft of trust property and practicing as a lawyer without registration, 37-year-old Takunda Manjokota was recently sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Gweru Magistrate Arnold Maburo suspended three months on the first count leaving him with 17 months of imprisonment with an option to refund the complainant, Lindiwe Moyo her money before 30 June 2025.

The court also fined Manjokota US$200 to be paid within 46 days or face imprisonment for his second count.

It is the state’s case that, sometime in January 2023, Manjokota approached Lindiwe, falsely claiming that he was a registered lawyer.

In February 2023, he arranged a meeting between Lindiwe and Mthonzima at an office located along ED Mnangagwa Street in Gweru.

During the meeting, the parties agreed that Mthonzima would pay Lindiwe US$15 000 as part of the divorce settlement.

After the payment, they planned to proceed to the Bulawayo High Court to amicably dissolve their marriage.

Mtonzima subsequently transferred the agreed amount to Manjokota’s account.

A further US$1 500 was transferred to Manjokota as part of his legal fees.

Instead of facilitating the divorce proceedings, Manjokota converted the money to his personal use.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe later confirmed that Manjokota is not a registered legal practitioner, exposing his fraudulent activities.

Tavonga Mavuto prosecuted.

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