Harare, (New Ziana) – A senior state security official has been convicted of 17 counts of fraud, and sentenced to two years in prison.

It is the state’s case that in 2023, Walter Makwalo impersonated the Officer Commanding Operations of the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) for the Southern Region, and duped a man into paying him over US$20 000 after promising him to recover US$170 600 from two men.

His victim, Simon George Lee, was lured into a web of deception in which Makwalo promised to facilitate the arrest, detention, and prosecution of Maurizio Arezio and Gabriel Arezio for allegedly defrauding him of US$170 600.

Makwalo claimed bribes to expedite the legal process, including for police officers, National Prosecuting Authority officials, magistrates, and judges to ensure a favorable outcome for Lee’s case.

Trusting Makwalo’s assurances, Lee ended up transferring a total of $21,300 to him.

The Harare Magistrates’ Court found Makwalo guilty on all counts, and sentenced him to 24 months in prison.

However, 18 months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior. The remaining six months were commuted to 210 hours of community service.

New Ziana