High Court Officials in Bulawayo Face Fraud Charges

20 February 2025

By Anisha Hungwe

Two Bulawayo High Court officials appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla, facing charges of defrauding a client in a civil case.

Ceaser Nkomo aged 63, a court assessor residing in Njube, and Shingirai Mupunga aged 29, a former research assistant from Nkulumane 12, are accused of defrauding a client of US$1 974 over several months. The complainant had sought their assistance after their case file disappeared from the court system in 2021.

Nkomo and Mupunga allegedly demanded multiple payments from the complainant, falsely claiming the funds were needed to reinstate the case and to bribe the presiding judge. After repeated payments yielded no results, the complainant reported the pair to the police. Nkomo and Mupunga were subsequently arrested, and Mupunga resigned from his position following his arrest.

The courts have issued a strong caution to the public against paying court officials directly for assistance with cases. All court payments should be made at designated offices, where official receipts will be issued. Members of the public are urged to report any court officials who solicit payments in exchange for legal assistance.