Fake Lawyer Steals $15,000 in Divorce Case
A man from Gweru, Takunda Manjokota, has been accused of pretending to be a lawyer and stealing $15,000 from a woman going through a divorce. He's been charged with theft and practicing law without permission.
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Manjokota says he's not guilty and has been let out of custody until his next court appearance.
The court heard that the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) confirmed Manjokota is not a real lawyer. But he allegedly told Lindiwe Moyo he was a registered lawyer and offered to help her with her divorce case.
According to the prosecutor, Bongani Taurai Mavuto, Manjokota approached Ms Moyo in January 2023, claiming to be a registered lawyer, and offered to help her with her divorce case at the Bulawayo High Court.
Fake Lawyer Steals $15,000 in Divorce Case
Mr Mavuto said: “On a date unknown to the prosecutor but during the month of January 2023 and at Nkwande Legal Practitioners offices, Gweru, Takunda Manjokota, not being a registered legal practitioner, notary public or conveyancer and in expectation of a fee, commission, gain or reward in any way, assisted Lindiwe Moyo to process or defend divorce proceedings at the Bulawayo High Court case number HC582/10.”
Manjokota allegedly took $1,500 from Ms Moyo for his services and got another $15,000 from her estranged husband's divorce settlement. But instead of giving the money to Ms Moyo, he kept it for himself.
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The court will hear more about the case next Wednesday.
