Monday 23 March 2026
Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Crimes & Courts Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
A 30-year-old Bulawayo man, Vusumuzi Mpala, has appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly duping unsuspecting service providers in a series of scams involving fake job offers and bogus parcels.
According to police and court documents from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Mpala is accused of defrauding multiple complainants by luring them with promises of lucrative work opportunities before tricking them into paying money for non-existent goods.
In one of the cases, the complainant, Mr Qinisela Lionel Ndlovu (42), a refrigeration and air conditioning specialist from Hillside, was allegedly contacted on 20 February 2026 by the accused, who claimed he needed assistance to service a cold room.
Mpala reportedly instructed Ndlovu to collect a parcel at the Macdonald turn-off along Gwanda Road and to pay US$320 for what was said to be a repair component. The complainant complied and handed over the cash before receiving a sealed cardboard box.
However, upon travelling to Shangani and failing to reach the accused on his mobile phone, Ndlovu opened the package and discovered it contained bricks and tree leaves.
In a similar case, another complainant, Mr Clemence Machingambi (36), a self-employed fencing contractor from Nketa 7, was allegedly targeted using the same method.
Mpala is said to have offered him a fencing job in Filabusi worth approximately US$8 000 and promised a deposit of US$5 500.
The accused allegedly instructed Machingambi to deliver US$330 to a supposed supplier at Ascot Shopping Centre in Bulawayo and collect a consignment of mining belts.
The complainant complied but later discovered that the consignment contained brick rubble and tree leaves. Attempts to contact the accused thereafter were unsuccessful.
Police investigations indicate a pattern in the accused’s alleged modus operandi, where victims are enticed with high-paying contracts and then manipulated into paying upfront fees for fake supplies.
An identification parade was conducted on 16 March 2026 at around 1200 hours, where Mpala was identified by witnesses. The parade was overseen by an Assistant Inspector, with eight individuals participating, and all procedures were reportedly followed, including informing the suspect of his rights.
In a warned and cautioned statement recorded at ZRP Hillside, Mpala acknowledged understanding the allegations and claimed that he had been sent by an individual named Mandla to collect the money and hand it over, suggesting he was acting on Mandla’s behalf.
The accused is facing charges under Section 136(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which relates to fraud. The matter is now before the courts at Tredgold Magistrates Court, where proceedings are underway.
Authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with unknown individuals offering job opportunities, particularly where upfront payments are involved.
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