A Ruwa man who allegedly posed as a government consultant to defraud a Masvingo employee of US$10 000 in a bogus mining licence deal has appeared in court facing fraud charges.
Simbarashe Mataka, 29, was brought before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya and remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The complainant, Chemist Mahachi — a boiler attendant at Calcy Ellison and Solution Suppliers in Masvingo — was reportedly introduced to Mataka by his manager, Isaac Manyame, who claimed the accused was a consultant with the Ministry of Mines.
On October 6, 2025, Mahachi met Mataka at Parktown Service Station in Waterfalls, Harare, where the accused allegedly demanded US$10 000 to facilitate the issuance of a mining licence.
Related Stories
Mahachi reportedly handed over the full amount inside his vehicle.
After the payment, Mahachi repeatedly followed up on the promised licence, but Mataka allegedly became evasive and stopped responding to calls and messages.
The matter was eventually reported to the police after it became clear the licence would not be delivered.
Mataka was subsequently arrested and remanded in custody.
Mahachi suffered an actual prejudice of US$10 000, and none of the money has been recovered.
Leave Comments