Lawyer Accused of Forgery, Fraud in Estate Case

Michael Mashiri 

Zim Now Court Correspondent 

A lawyer, Nyaradzayi Musungwa Maphosa, has appeared before Harare magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu facing charges of forgery and fraud.

Maphosa is alleged to have forged a birth certificate to falsely identify a minor, Tristan Simbarashe Muchenje, as the son of the late Zivanai Muchenje to unlawfully include him as a beneficiary of the deceased's estate.

According to the State, represented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the alleged crime took place between August and November 2024. Maphosa, reportedly working with Nyasha Mavhita—who remains at large—allegedly forged the birth certificate with entry number 63-3201386 A38 and a supporting affidavit, which were submitted to the Master of the High Court.

Investigations revealed that official records from the Registrar of Births and Deaths identified the minor as the son of Farai Tigere Muchenje, not Zivanai Muchenje.

The complainant, Shingai Bianca Muchenje, filed a police report after discovering the alleged fraud, leading to Maphosa’s arrest.

Magistrate Panavanhu remanded Maphosa out of custody to February 11, 2025, while investigations continue.