Munyaradzi Mashiri
Zim Now Court Correspondent
The Chief Executive Officer and founder of Citizens Legal Funeral and Finance Services Private Limited and Citizens Legal Aid Society, has been brought before the courts on allegations of defrauding US$7 800.
Edmore Govere, 41, of Prospect, Waterfalls, appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing fraud charges. He is scheduled to return to court on January 27, 2025.
The complainant in this matter is Lydia Dambaza, 48, the executrix dative in the estate of her late husband, Justice Justen Murungu.
According to the State, Murungu passed away in the United Kingdom in 2023. For the distribution of his estate, Dambaza, in her capacity as executor, engaged Govere for assistance through his organisation, Citizens Legal Aid Society and Advisory Trust.
Govere allegedly misrepresented himself as a practicing lawyer, which reportedly gained Dambaza's confidence.
On July 31, 2023, Govere allegedly informed Dambaza that a payment of US$7 800 was required as fees to the Master of the High Court for processing the late Murungu’s estate, registered as DR2017/23. Believing Govere, Dambaza paid the requested amount and signed an acknowledgment of receipt, which Govere provided.
Further investigations revealed that Govere allegedly misused the funds for personal purposes. He reportedly created a fake receipt, number 070300, purporting it to be issued by the Guardian's Fund Account Master of the High Court of Zimbabwe as proof of payment. Govere allegedly gave Dambaza a copy of the fake receipt to support his claim.
The fraud came to light when Dambaza visited the Master of the High Court of Zimbabwe to check on the status of the estate. She was informed that the US$7 800 was never received.
A report was filed with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, and investigations revealed the receipt provided to Dambaza was forged. The genuine receipt number was found to belong to a different court, and the Master of the High Court disowned the date stamp on the fake document.
As a result, Dambaza was prejudiced of US$7,800. The matter is still under investigation, and Govere will return to court early next year.
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