Masvingo Court Orders Dental Test As Fraudster Lacks ID
MASVINGO – A prominent airtime vendor in Masvingo, convicted of swindling two residents out of more than US$1,600, has been ordered to undergo a dental age examination after failing to produce any identification documents.
Ronnie Mucheme claims he is 20 years old, but in the absence of a birth certificate or national identity card, Magistrate Caroline Tafira ruled that a forensic assessment is necessary to determine his age before sentencing.
The fraud trail began on 11 May, when Mucheme approached Ecocash agent Nickson Kwirirai and requested the transfer of US$1,250 to two mobile numbers.
He allegedly claimed the money was urgently needed by a well-known city businessman who would reimburse the amount. Relying on Mucheme’s visible ties to the businessman and his reputation as a vendor, Kwirirai processed the transaction.
Mucheme then disappeared without a trace, sparking suspicions.
Barely three weeks later, on 31 May, Mucheme resurfaced to con a local mobile phone dealer. Pretending that three cash-paying customers were en route to purchase handsets, he walked away with three brand new devices worth US$360.
Once again, he vanished, prompting the dealer to file a police report that triggered a manhunt.
Mucheme was arrested on 6 July and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.
In court, he admitted squandering the proceeds on a lavish lifestyle, booking rooms in upmarket lodges and hotels across Masvingo.
Despite his criminal behaviour, Mucheme remains a recognisable figure in the community—having released a music album in previous years before shifting into airtime vending in the central business district.
Source: B-Metro
