HARARE – A Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions consultant has been arrested accused of attempting to steal US$65,000 from 2018 presidential candidate and businessman, Joseph Makamba Busha.
Vimbai Eva Mushongera, 50, appeared before a Harare magistrate on Tuesday accused of forging documents in a bid to steal from a trust fund set up by Busha.
Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye released Mushongera on $300 bail. She was not asked to plead to fraud and forgery charges she she was remanded to October 3.
As part of her bail conditions, she must report twice to a police station every week and surrender her passport.
Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa told court that Mushongera was appointed a trustee for the JM Busha 54 Races Trust in 2016.
As a trustee, Mushongera was not entitled to a salary but an allowance of US$100 per sitting of the board of trustees.
Mushongera was also the country representative for the trust, and was assigned to assist the secretariat to run the affairs of organisation, the court heard.
It is alleged Mushongera then hatched a plan to defraud the businessman by drafting a letter of appointment purporting it was prepared by Busha.
The court heard Mushongera went on to highlight nature of her duties in the letter and also stated that she was entitled to a salary of US$2,500 per month.
It is alleged that Mushongera also wrote emails, purporting they were sent by Busha to her acknowledging that he owed her US$65,000.
Her lawyers then prepared a letter of demand which they submitted to Busha claiming US$6, 000 on behalf of their client.
Busha, after scrutinising the documents, unearthed the misrepresentation and called in the police, said Mutizirwa.
Busha is the director of the JM Busha Investment Group, an investment management firm with branches in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The JM Busha 54 Races for Peace and Unity in Africa Trust promotes peace on the African continent through music, sports, education, and the arts.
