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Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A ONE-EYED fraudster from Kwekwe has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for duping a tourist of $210 which he said was for medical assistance.

Lloyd Mutingwende produced fake medical documents and asked Mr O’Connor Gregory (52) who was temporarily residing at Banff Lodge, Hillside, for $6 386 saying it was for eye surgery.

Mutingwende pleaded guilty to fraud before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove.

The magistrate sentenced him to three months in jail. She suspended two months on condition that he completes 75 hours of community service. The remaining month was suspended on condition that he pays back Mr Gregory’s money.

Prosecuting, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza said Mutingwende met Mr Gregory while he was jogging, showed him his artificial eye and asked for donations.

“On May 3, Mutingwende showed Mr Gregory an artificial eye and told him that he needed money for surgical treatment. Mr Gregory gave him $150 and a week later, Mutingwende texted him stating that he was in need of more money for further eye treatment and Mr Gregory did not respond,” he said.

“Mutingwende proceeded to the lodge where Mr Gregory was staying and told him that the surgery was not fully conducted since the money was not enough hence he needed more. He produced fake medical documents purporting to be from a medical practitioner and asked for $6 386. Mr Gregory managed to give him $60.”

Mr Jaravaza said Mr Nkosikhona Khumalo, who is Mr Gregory’s friend, became suspicious and urged him to go with Mutingwende to the police station to verify the documents.

“Upon arrival at Hillside Police Station, Mutingwende admitted that his documents were fake and he was using them to get money”, he said. — @MondelaC