Man in court over fake bank statement used to obtain firearm licence

 

A Domboshava man has appeared in court after allegedly submitting a fraudulent NMB Bank statement to secure a firearm certificate from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Tavonga Seremani (34), of Domboshava, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges.

Seremani is a commuter omnibus operator, miner and manufacturer of artworks.

The court heard that between January 1 and June 19, 2023, the accused applied for a firearm under the cash-in-transit category through the Controller of Firearms at CID Headquarters in Harare.

Prosecutors allege that among the documents submitted, Seremani falsely represented that he held an active account with NMB Bank, knowing this to be untrue.

It is alleged that he submitted a fabricated NMB Bank statement bearing an account number as proof of financial standing and suitability to possess a firearm.

Acting on the submitted documents, the Controller of Firearms issued Seremani with firearm certificate number S37049B.

The court heard that the alleged misrepresentation prejudiced the Criminal Investigation Department’s Central Firearms Registry by undermining proper administrative procedures.

The matter is pending before the court.