By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Bulawayo – Three people have appeared in the Bulawayo Regional Court accused of diverting USD $34,500 meant for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) exhibition stand at the Harare Agricultural Show.
The accused are Rubble Chinanai (54) and Ashel Chinanai (35) of Cowdray Park, and Tichawanda Kevin Chinyande (31) of Southview, Harare.
Prosecutors said RBZ hired Kutting Edge Events to build its stand, with payments to be made into the company’s Steward Bank account.
But investigators allege the trio hacked the contractor’s email system and inserted false banking details.
On 28 August 2025, RBZ transferred USD $17,250 into Rubble’s Stanbic account, followed by another USD $17,250 on 2 September 2025.
The funds were allegedly laundered:
USD $6,500 went to Ashel’s NMB account.
Another USD $6,500 was sent via Mukuru to South African contact Richard Nyadongo, with Ashel keeping a USD $250 cut.
Ashel also channelled USD $6,500 into Chinyande’s ZB Bank account on instructions from fugitive suspect Anold Kasasa.
The court granted the trio bail on condition they each pay USD $150, stay at their listed addresses, avoid witness interference, and report weekly to ZRP Bulawayo Central. Chinyande was also ordered to surrender his passport. The matter returns to court on 30 September 2025.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the case highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled fraud.
“Those who abuse technology to siphon public funds will be prosecuted,” it warned, urging tighter vigilance on digital transactions.