Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – Rutenga Housing Cooperative (RHC) secretary, Lackson Nezira has reportedly disappeared with US$24 000 contributed by about 500 Rutenga home seekers, TellZim News has learnt.
Believed to be now hiding in South Africa, Nezira is said to have accessed the money by forging the signatures of two other signatories to the cooperative’s Steward Bank Account.
The money is said to have been transferred to several other accounts, with some reportedly moved out of the account via RTGS on different occasions.
Masvingo police spokesperson Insp Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed that the case was reported in August last year but could not give further details.
Sources privy to the matter, however, said a docket had already been opened against all the signatories.
Repeated efforts by TellZim News to contact Nezira failed as his mobile phone was not reachable.
“There is Nezira, the treasurer and the chairperson but it is Nezira who forged his colleagues’ signatures,” said a source.
Other sources said one of the other two signatories has also fled after learning that the police were now looking into the matter.
Several victims of the alleged loot expressed despair, saying they were not likely to recover their money.
“The cooperative was legally registered and we put our hope in it because we believed in the competency and trustworthiness of Nezira, our own son from Mwenezi. Since the end of 2016, I contributed a total of US$450 hoping that by the end of December this year, I would have finish all the payment and have a stand of my own,” said one victim.crime
