BULAWAYO, Apr.15, 2026 (NewsDay Live)-A 49-year-old man from Emakhandeni in Bulawayo is facing fraud charges after allegedly impersonating a council employee and defrauding a stand owner of property worth US$17,500.
Nkosilathi Sibanda is accused of defrauding Lonatech Air Technology Solutions (Pvt) Ltd director Lovemore Mutoko.
Sibanda pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Isheunesu Mathoba.
In December last year, Mutoko met Sibanda in the city centre where the latter allegedly claimed he could facilitate the acquisition of commercial stands from the local authority.
Sibanda allegedly advised Mutoko to apply for placement on the BCC housing waiting list.
Mutoko complied and was asked to pay US$280 to expedite the process before being issued with reference numbers for two stands valued at US$17,500.
Mutoko was allegedly instructed to pay the amount in instalments into Sibanda’s bank account on the understanding that the latter would remit the funds to the Bulawayo City Council.
Mutoko reportedly made several payments on different dates, totalling US$17 500.
- Revisiting Majaivana’s last show… ‘We made huge losses’
- Edutainment mix: The nexus of music and cultural identity
- ChiTown acting mayor blocks election
- Promoter Mdu 3D defends foreigners 30 minute set
Keep Reading
The matter came to light when Mutoko requested official receipts from the council as proof of payment. Sibanda allegedly became evasive, leading to his arrest.
