In a recent development, the prosecution has withdrawn fraud charges against popular Zimbabwean comedian Felistas Murata, widely known as Mai TT. The decision came after it was confirmed that she had repaid the complainant’s money, totalling US$10,000. The case was withdrawn before Harare magistrate Ms. Appollonia Marutya.
According to the State’s allegations, in September 2022, Murata supposedly deceived the complainant, Rachel Mhuka, at a location in Harare, falsely claiming that she needed US$10,000 for a business venture. Murata promised to provide her Mercedes Benz vehicle, registered as AFF9759, as collateral for the loan, with the commitment to repay the amount by November 30 of the same year. However, it was alleged that Murata knew the vehicle did not belong to her.
Based on Murata’s misrepresentation, Mhuka handed over the money. Murata later returned the Mercedes Benz, claiming that it did not actually belong to her. She then provided Mhuka with an Audi Q5, registered as AFG3701, as a replacement. However, Murata subsequently retrieved the Audi and replaced it with an invalid passport as collateral.
When Mhuka discovered the invalidity of the passport, she confronted Murata, who promptly returned the second vehicle. In January of this year, the police seized the car from Mhuka after Else Event Car Hire reported Murata for the alleged theft of trust property. The company, represented by Liberty Vazhura, claimed that Murata had taken the vehicle without permission.
Murata is currently serving a nine-month prison sentence after being convicted of theft of trust property in June.
