The Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court has sentenced two men to imprisonment for hacking into Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s computer system and selling airtime bundles for cash.
Dumisani Mutwazi, 33, and Tanaka Tayero, 27, were convicted of unlawfully using data and devices to facilitate unauthorised access to the mobile operator’s system. Each was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.
The court heard that between 25 June and 10 July 2025, the pair unlawfully accessed Econet’s system and sold or made available access codes used to obtain airtime bundles.
The scheme was uncovered on 11 July 2025, when an Econet corporate fraud specialist reviewing airtime purchases made through Yomix and EcoCash noticed suspicious transaction patterns linked to the two men.
Investigations established that airtime bundles had been purchased repeatedly and distributed to several individuals in exchange for cash. Econet suffered a total financial loss of US$12,436.52. Nothing has been recovered.
In sentencing, the court suspended 10 months of the 36-month term for five years on condition of good behaviour. A further 18 months was suspended on condition that each offender completes 630 hours of community service. This leaves eight months to be served in custody.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) condemned the unlawful access to and abuse of digital systems for personal gain.
“Cybercrime undermines business confidence and causes financial losses. Perpetrators of such illegal activities will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the NPA said.
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