Bogus ZACC Agent Convicted

Nkosana Nkala (34) appeared before the Gwanda Magistrates Court on charges of impersonating a public official.

The court heard that some time in December 2023 the accused person was hired by Isyie Landscaping and Design as a gardener. On the 23rd of January 2024 the accused person contacted the company’s Director using the Whatsapp platform informing her that he was an undercover agent employed by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

He further misrepresented that he had had been tasked to investigate a local company, that is why he was assigned to work for the landscaping company.

As a result of the misrepresentation the Director of the landscaping company found it difficult to assign duties to the accused person. He was constantly absent from work on the pretext that he was carrying out ZACC duties. The accused person coerced the Director into giving him a full salary despite the fact that he was working part time.

He assured her that ZACC would reimburse the money. The accused person attempted to extort the Director by misrepresenting to her that there were some individuals who wanted to steal her company and he could protect her for a fee of USD400.

The matter came to light when the Director approached ZACC with the intention of having them change the agent. Investigations revealed that the accused person was not a ZACC undercover agent leading to his arrest. He pleaded guilty to the charges and will appear in court for sentencing.