HARARE – A Harare man, Morgan Muwodzeri, found himself in the dock last week, facing serious charges of theft of trust property, involving a substantial sum of US$42 900.
The allegations against Muwodzeri, a 54-year-old resident of Harare, paint a picture of a betrayal of trust, leaving the alleged victims with significant financial losses.
The case revolves around a series of transactions involving Muwodzeri, Eugenia Nyamuturira, and his relative Shadreck Munyuki who is based in the United Kingdom. Munyuki, it is alleged, entrusted Muwodzeri with a Nissan Pathfinder, which was placed in the custody of Nyamuturira.
However, Muwodzeri allegedly used the vehicle as collateral for a loan from Lekka Micro-Finance without the consent of Nyamuturira, a move that violated the terms of the trust agreement.
Adding to the allegations, Muwodzeri is accused of misappropriating funds sent to him from the United Kingdom by Munyuki. In December 2022, Munyuki reportedly sent Muwodzeri US$12 300 for safekeeping, with the intention of using the funds for the purchase of a plot of land at a later stage. However, investigations revealed that Muwodzeri allegedly converted the money to his own use, betraying the trust placed in him.
Further accusations emerged, alleging that Muwodzeri also misappropriated another US$12 300 sent to him by Nyamuturira from the United Kingdom between January 2022 and June this year.
The funds were again entrusted to Muwodzeri for safekeeping, but he allegedly diverted them for his own personal use. Munyuki, upon discovering the alleged misuse of the funds, instructed Muwodzeri to release the money, but he failed to comply.
Muwodzeri, however, was granted bail by Harare magistrate Patricia Kamwana, who released him on US$250 bail. He was ordered to continue residing at his given address and to surrender his passport to the clerk of court.
