The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent
A HARARE man who masqueraded as a legal practitioner, collected money from a client but failed to represent him in court on two occasions has been convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 months in prison. Farai Musabaeka (54) who owns a business consultancy company in Harare will however commit 210 hours of community service at the Ministry of Industry offices.Of the 11 months sentence, two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, the other three months were set aside on condition that he restitutes the complainant $800 while the remaining months were suspended on condition that he does unpaid work.
Musabaeka had pleaded not guilty to fraud but he was convicted after a full trial. He was represented by Mutare lawyer, Mr Tatenda Sigauke. Ms Perseverance Makala presided over the matter while Mr Brighton Shamuyarira prosecuted.
Allegations were that sometime in June 2015, Sebastian Njolah was looking for legal assistance as he was facing charges of culpable homicide.
Njolah was then introduced to Musabaeka and he was charged $800. The complainant paid the amount in full but the suspect did not show up at court on two occasions.
