daniel chigunwe
Zvikomborero Parafini
A CONMAN who masqueraded as an intelligence officer, and duped a farmer of US$18 000, which he claimed was meant to bribe court and police officials to fix another man, is expected back in court today for his pre-sentence hearing.
Walter Makwalo was convicted after a full trial by Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei.
The State, represented by Tendai Tapi, said Makwalo duped Mt Hampden farmer Simon George Lee after making him believe he could get back his US$170 000 that he had been defrauded of in 2021.
Lee was defrauded of US$170 600 by Gabrielle Arezio and Maurizio Arezio.
He reported the two to the police.
Lee then told his friend Shadreck Zimondi about the fraud and was advised to seek Makwalo’s services.
During the first week of January last year, Lee was introduced to Makwalo by Zimondi and Takudzwa Tsikwa.
Makwalo told Lee that he was the officer commanding operations of the southern region of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Makwalo said he would assist Lee in locating and arresting the two and recovering the money.
Makwalo then allegedly started demanding money to bribe police officers, prosecutors, magistrates, prison officers and even a judge.
The total payment was US$18 000 before Lee called a halt.
On January 13, last year, Makwalo lured Maurizio to meet him in Pomona, Borrowdale.
Makwalo, who was accompanied by Lee, met Maurizio and arrested him before taking him to the CID Commercial Crimes Division.
Makwalo then demanded US$500 purportedly to give to CID officers to detain Maurizio.
He was given the money.
The next day, Maurizio appeared in court at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Makwalo demanded US$600, purportedly for the public prosecutor and magistrate so that he would be denied bail.
Another US$300 was then demanded by Makwalo, for the investigating officer, and US$600 for the chief prosecutor, to facilitate the smooth process of their plan.
Makwalo also allegedly claimed that some senior officials also needed US$2 000 each for them to monitor the case and he was given the money.
After Maurizio had been denied bail on January 19, Makwalo demanded US$200 to pass to the Officer-in-Charge Prisons to make sure Maurizio would not receive favourable treatment in prison.
He was given the money.
Maurizio then applied for bail at the High Court and Makwalo told Lee the judges were demanding US$1 000 and was given the money on January 27.
He further demanded various amounts of money totalling US$11 000 after misrepresenting to Lee, who later reported the matter to the police.
