By Kwedu News
Gweru – Takunda Manjokota’s embezzlement case which was supposed to be heard on the 1st of August 2024 at the Gweru Magistrate Court has been moved forward again to Monday 5 August 2024, after citing that his lawyer was not available.
Manjokota, is alleged to have misrepresented himself as a registered lawyer and embezzling US$15 000 in a divorce case between Gweru businesswoman, Lindiwe Moyo and her ex-husband, Mthonzima Moyo.
On Thursday, Manjokota said his defense counsel was not available as the lawyer was at the High Court, and the sitting was moved to Monday, August 5, 2024.
Manjokota is being charged for theft of trust property and for breaching the Legal Practitioners’ Act, practicing without registration.
He allegedly convinced the complainant, Lindiwe, to engage him to handle her divorce case.
He convinced her to pay him US$1500 for his services when he obtained her US$15 000 divorce settlement.
He received the money on her behalf, in Zimbabwean dollars equivalent, but never gave Lindiwe the money, converting it to his own use instead.
After being initially questioned by authorities during investigations he allegedly claimed that he transferred the money back to Mthonzima’s account before shifting to say he used it to pay for one Mrs. Purazi’s estate.
The state, represented by Taurai Mavuto, says the total value prejudiced is US$15 000, equivalent to ZWL$16 500 000 using the prevailing bank rate at the time of payment, and nothing was recovered.
