Gweru: A 37-year-old Gweru resident, Takunda Manjokota, has been arraigned before the Gweru Magistrate Courts on charges of theft of trust property and practicing law without registration. He is accused of impersonating a lawyer and embezzling US$15 000 from a woman seeking a divorce.
Manjokota, from Senga suburb, appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Anorld Maburo on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was remanded out of custody until next Wednesday.
The court heard that Manjokota, who is not a registered legal practitioner, convinced Ms Lindiwe Moyo of Daylesford to engage him to handle her divorce case. He allegedly claimed to be a registered lawyer and offered his services to Ms Moyo.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) confirmed that Manjokota is not a registered legal practitioner, further highlighting the gravity of his actions.
According to the prosecution, Manjokota approached Ms Moyo in January 2023, claiming that he was now a registered lawyer and could assist her in her divorce proceedings.
“On a date unknown to the prosecutor but during the month of January 2023 and at Nkwande Legal Practitioners offices, Gweru, Takunda Manjokota, not being a registered legal practitioner, notary public or conveyancer and in expectation of a fee, commission, gain or reward in any way, assisted Lindiwe Moyo to process or defend divorce proceedings at the Bulawayo High Court case number HC582/10,” said Mr Maburo, outlining the charges against Manjokota.
Manjokota allegedly convinced Ms Moyo to pay him US$1 500 (10 percent) for his services after he obtained US$15 000 equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars, for a divorce settlement from her estranged husband, businessman Mr Mthonzima Moyo.
The accused allegedly did not give Ms Moyo the money but instead converted it to his own use.
When confronted about the missing funds, Manjokota initially claimed to have transferred the money back to Mr Moyo’s account. However, he later changed his story, claiming he had used the money to pay for one Mrs Purazi’s estate.
Ms Moyo, suspicious of Manjokota’s actions, reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.
