Bindura mayor arrested on alleged fraud charges

Bindura mayor held as state ups arrests on opposition politicians — **Jacob Gwature**

Police have confirmed the arrest of Bindura mayor Jacob Gwature for alleged fraud. Also arrested in the same matter is one Jonathan Kapasi.

According to police, Gwatura and Kapasi defrauded United Kingdom based Kitchen Table Charities Trust of 5,000 British pounds which was meant for borehole drilling in Zimbabwe.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Bindura Town Council Mayor, Jacob Gwature, 39, and his accomplice Jonathan Kapasi, 49, in connection with a fraud case where Kitchen Table Charities Trust, based in United Kingdom, lost 5,000 British pounds which is equivalent to US$6,970,” police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

“Kitchen Table Charities Trust engaged the suspects in January 2021 through their purported company, Pamhodzi Rainbow Network in Zimbabwe, to drill a borehole and install a solar system to power the borehole at stand number 1305 Budiriro 1, Harare.”

Police said Misheck Mlambo deposited the money into the two’s bank account which was later withdrawn but never used for drilling the borehole.

“Misheck Mlambo, 38, representing Kitchen Table Charities Trust, deposited the money in the suspects’ local bank account.

“The suspects later withdrew the money and did not drill the borehole as had been agreed,” Nyathi said.

The two have since appeared in court facing the charges and were remanded in custody to 26 September 2023 for a bail hearing.