Prostitute exposes R25,000 fake notes

An attempt by a 22-year-old suspected criminal to impress an alert prostitute whom he was trying to hire by paying a fake note upfront backfired terribly, leading to the arrest of a five-member gang and haul of R25,000 fake notes.

The crackdown of the five suspects - Simon Darlington Tandi (28), of Glendale Harare, Ben Maungwe (27) of Mbare, Godfrey Shirimani (25), of Hobhouse in Mutare and Evans Kadzunge (24), of Hobhouse - is expected to to help clear a backlog of cases involving unsuspecting residents who were conned using fake notes.

The five who appeared in court last week were remanded in custody to allow the magistrate, Ms Fortunate Bere, time to consider their bail application. The State led by Ms Event Dhliwayo opposed bail arguing that it needed time to carryout investigations as the suspects were likely to interfere with State witnesses thereby tempering with evidence.

Mr Maxwell Chiwanza, of Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners who is representing the five, said his clients pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. He said the State was merely opposing bail to fix the five, adding that if released on bail, his clients would religiously observe imposed conditions.

Allegations are that on 10 June at around 10pm, the five were driving a BMW (registration number AAM 9079) drove to Neighbours Night Club in Vengere scouting for ladies of the night. On arrival, Bungu headed for the club to hunt for a female client. He then approached Eunice Magorimbo soliciting for sexual favours. Magorimbo, the 'Adults Pleasure Engineer' agreed to the proposal but demanded cash upfront, a call which Bungu answered by paying her R100, it is alleged.

Prosecutor Dhliwayo said: "The lady of the night scrutinised the note with the assistance of the night watchman securing the premises, only to find that it was a fake note. Magorimbo quickly advised one Constable Majaya, who was on night patrol and Bungu was arrested. After learning about Bungu's arrest, Tandi disembarked from the car and rushed to intervene and save his mate, arguing that the note was a genuine one. He also ended up being arrested and both were taken to Rusape Urban Police Station."

While at the Police Station, a body search was conducted, leading to the recovery of fake R1,900 from Tandi's inner jacket pockets. The duo then implicated Ben Maungwe, Godfrey Shirimani and Evans Kadzunge. Police then traced and apprehended them while seated in the parked BMW outside the club.

"After 'interrogations', Maungwe told the police that there was a black bag in the car which contained fake notes. The bag contained R25,000 of fake notes," said prosecutor Dhliwayo.

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