Brian Nkatazo Mathe (30) and his wife Lydia Mathe (22) who used the alias Stephanie Pullen, pleaded guilty to pretending to be brother and sister in order to dupe a Kuwadzana man, Nyakanyaka Msipani (56) into paying lobola. The pair appeared before provincial magistrate Victoria Mashamba charged with fraud and will be sentenced today.
The court heard that Msipani was lured into a relationship by Lydia via Facebook. Lydia then introduced her husband as her brother and they said they were orphans and they advised Msipani to pay lobola to Mathe. Msipani went on to pay $3 000 in March through bank transfers to Mathe who then presided over the marriage process and promised to escort Msipani’s “wife” to his home after two weeks.
Brain and Lydia then changed sim cards and stopped communicating with Msipani. The couple was arrested after Msipani bumped into Mathe in the central business district.
More: NewsDay
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