BARELY two months after Zano raMwari Apostolic Church Bishop Ephraim Musosi Mapuranga was imprisoned for stealing from his in-laws, “the man of the cloth” was back in the dock this week on another charge of fraud.
Report by Blessed Mhlanga Staff Reporter
Mapuranga was slapped with a two-month prison term by Provincial magistrate Taurai Manwere after duping his father-in-law of $4 000 in September.
On Monday, Mapuranga was back in court after two dubious stand deals which cost Nyikadzino Chigodo of Amaveni, Kwekwe, $4 400 and Richard Zganiso of Gweru $2 000.
Mapuranga is now accused of selling stand 14510/11 of Mbizo to Chigodo in February last year, a property that belonged to Kwekwe City Council.
Chigodo later discovered that the land belonged to the local authority and had been leased to Zano raMwari Apostolic Church for church services.
In July this year, Mapuranga is alleged to have sold another stand number 19305/8 of Mbizo to Zganiso, a property he had allegedly also sold to another Harare man identified in court papers only as Phiri.
Zganiso only discovered he had been duped when he wanted to develop the stand and found contractors hired by Phiri already on site.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He then reported the matter to the police, leading to Mapuranga’s arrest immediately after serving his sentence last month.
Mapuranga was remanded out of custody to November 8 when trial is expected to open. Salume Maunganidze appeared for the State.
