Mbare Grandma Faces US$23k Fraud Charges

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

Junior Nhamburo, a 61-year-old woman from Mbare, is facing fraud charges related to the estate of her late father, Mubaiwa Nhamburo Ganye, worth US$23 000. Nhamburo appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court and was granted bail of US$200.

The case centers around the property at House Number 36, Gatula Street, Mbare, which was part of her father’s estate. Nhamburo, acting as the executor and sole beneficiary, allegedly colluded with others, including Alfonce Muzambi, Andrew Bidi, Zikali, and Mercy, to register a duplicate deceased estate file with the Master of the High Court in Harare. She used her father’s national ID and death certificate to facilitate this fraudulent registration.

In late 2024, Nhamburo allegedly tasked Bidi with selling the house using the duplicate estate documents. Bryan Madya, a commodity broker, was looking for a house and was referred to Bidi by an estate agent named Artwell. The complainant viewed the house and met Nhamburo, who posed as a tenant and confirmed the house was for sale. Over several visits, Nhamburo allowed Madya to inspect the house.

On December 24, 2024, the complainant entered into a sale agreement with a woman impersonating the executor of the deceased estate, facilitated by Bidi, Gwenzi, and Artwell. However, on January 2, 2025, when the complainant visited the property to collect rent from tenants, Nhamburo revealed herself as the true owner of the house, exposing the fraud.

Madya, realising he had been deceived, reported the matter to the police. The fraud resulted in a financial loss of US$23 000, with no recovery of the funds.