A self-proclaimed prophet accused of orchestrating an elaborate “snake cleansing” scheme that allegedly cost a retired bank manager more than US$20,000 and three vehicles has been acquitted of fraud charges by a Bulawayo court. Lenon Chidarikire, also known as Madzibaba Lenon Chidarikire, walked free on Thursday after Bulawayo magistrate Themba Chimiso ruled that the State had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Chidarikire had been facing four counts of fraud

A Mutare man has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of a 39-year-old woman who was allegedly doused with a highly corrosive liquid believed to be sulphuric acid in a suspected crime of passion. Tawanda Kapfumo, of Zororo, Sakubva, appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate Honest Musiyiwa last Tuesday, facing murder charges. He was remanded to 3 March 2026 and granted US$200 bail.

Kadoma — Former Renaissance Financial Holdings group chief executive officer Patterson Timba (59) is expected to appear before the Kadoma Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, facing a rape charge. According to the State outline, the alleged incident occurred in October 2023 at Tolrose Mine in Kadoma, where Timba was serving as a director.

Harare — A Harare-based car dealer has been left counting heavy losses after allegedly being defrauded of more than US$50,000 by a man posing as a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) clearance agent. The accused, Tichaona Mupo Mhlakaza, appeared before a Harare magistrate over the weekend on fraud charges. He was not asked to plead and is expected back in court today for a bail hearing.