Michael Mashiri
A lawyer from Hlabano Law Chambers has appeared in court facing fraud allegations after allegedly defrauding more than US$13 000 from his client.
Barnwell Balamanja, 43, of Mukoba, Gweru, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing fraud allegations.
The complainant in this matter is Tendai Mwariwangu, 51, based in the United Kingdom, who is currently residing in Chitungwiza.
The State, through prosecutor Zororai Nkomo, alleges that sometime in 2020, Mwariwangu engaged Balamanja for assistance in both criminal and civil cases filed by Mwariwangu against one Edward Ruzvidzo.
Mwariwangu allegedly paid Balamanja US$7 300 for the job.
He allegedly lied to her that all the court proceedings were going well and she had won the civil case which successfully attached Ruzvidzo's house through the Sheriff of the High Court.
Around mid-2022, Mwariwangu, engaged Balamanja again to assist her on a case against a shipping company called Lake Superior based in Eswatini.
Balamanja received US$4 030 from Mwariwangu after lying to her that he was working on her case.
During the same year, Mwariwangu also engaged Balamanja to pursue her case against one Enock Mungiriya at Harare Magistrates' Courts and he was given US$1 000 for the work but never delivered.
He again received US$735 to recover Mwariwangu's stands and trucks in Gweru but nothing was done.
Mwariwangu later realised that Balamanja had not done any work and she refused to pay him.
A report of fraud was filed at Harare Central Police Station.
Mwariwangu, who was sending Balamanja money through a UK-based money transfer agent, was prejudiced US$13 065 in the process.
Balamanja, who was coming from home, will appear in court on September 29 for his trial date.
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