Aunt dupes nephew of US$37k through staged relatio...

Aunt dupes nephew of US$37k through staged relationships

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A woman who allegedly duped her relative out of US$37 000 after fabricating a staged relationship has appeared in court.

Simakuhle Ncube, 35, appeared before magistrate Patricia Kamwanda and was granted US$100 bail. She is due to return to court on October 11, pending the finalisation of investigations.

The State alleges that between October 24, 2023, and August 26, 2024, primarily in Harare’s Central Business District, Ncube devised a plan to defraud the complainant, Culverwell Tawanda Venge.

It is alleged that she created fictitious characters, including Tarisai Mlambo, Brian Mususa, Portia, and Mrs Mlambo (Tarisai’s mother). Ncube, who is Venge’s aunt (her husband is Venge’s uncle), was well aware of his personal and financial situation.

Ncube reportedly gave Venge the contact details of Tarisai Mlambo, who was allegedly seeking accounting lessons while studying for an accounting degree. Tarisai and Venge’s conversations took place exclusively via WhatsApp, and she eventually initiated a romantic relationship with him.

Subsequently, Brian Mususa, purportedly Tarisai’s husband, discovered their messages and contacted Venge, appearing furious. Mususa demanded compensation for Venge’s involvement with his wife.

Ncube then contacted Venge, advising him of the situation and pressuring him into believing that Tarisai’s mother was married to a powerful member of the Central Intelligence Organisation. She claimed that if Venge didn’t pay, he would “disappear.”

On November 4, Venge gave Ncube US$2,500. A week later, Mususa allegedly demanded an additional US$10,000 as compensation for dating his wife.

As time went on, Ncube informed Venge that Tarisai had developed hypertension due to the stress of being caught and was hospitalized at Baines Clinic in Harare. Venge was urged to cover her medical bills, with further payments being made to Mususa.

Ncube also claimed that Tarisai needed surgery at Baines Clinic, which Venge was responsible for funding. Eventually, Tarisai was allegedly referred to India for further medical treatment.

At one point, Venge insisted on visiting Tarisai, but Ncube repeatedly blocked his attempts, offering various excuses. Later, Venge was informed that Tarisai had died in India, and he was asked to cover the costs of repatriating her body to Zimbabwe for burial.

Ncube further claimed that Mususa had committed suicide, and his relatives were seeking revenge on Venge unless he made additional payments.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Venge never met any of the alleged characters in person. All communication was conducted through WhatsApp, and Ncube was the only visible party negotiating and receiving money, supposedly on behalf of the other individuals.

At one point, Venge was led to believe that Baines Clinic had paid Tarisai’s family US$20,000 in compensation for a botched medical procedure and that Dr Manase from the clinic had also contributed US$10 000. Ncube convinced Venge that he was dealing with a powerful and influential family, further legitimizing her demands for money.

In total, Venge lost US$37 020, none of which has been recovered. The scam was uncovered when Venge came across photos of the supposed Tarisai Mlambo, Brian Mususa, and others, only to discover that they were of unrelated individuals from Bulawayo.

The matter was reported to the police, and investigations revealed that Baines Clinic had never treated a patient by the name of Tarisai Mlambo during the stated period or at any other time.

Ncube was arrested on September 17 at her residence in Mabvuku.