Senior State Aide Convicted of Fraud

By Regina Pasipanodya

A senior state security Aide was recently sentenced to 24 months imprisonment after being found guilty of defrauding a local farmer $21,300 as bribe to assist him with his case.

According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) sometime in 2023, Walter Makwalo (34) defrauded a Harare-based farmer, George Gee (40) through deceit after he misguided him that he was an Officer Commanding Operations, CIO Southern Region by the Harare Magistrate Court.

It is alleged that Makwalo misguided Lee and fraudulently took an amount totalling $21, 300 dollars after he promised to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of Maurizio Arezio and Gabriel Arezio who had defrauded Lee of $170, 600 dollars.

It is reported that Makwalo claimed that the money was required to pay police officers, the NPAZ officials, the magistrates and judges to ensure that the case came out in favour of Lee.

Makwalo was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 18 months were suspended for 5 years on condition of good behaviour and 6 months suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service.