By Staff Writer
Harare – A Harare magistrate has set a trial date for alleged illegal moneylender Patrick Mutenha, popularly known as “Chimpa,” who is facing charges of extortion and violating the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Microfinance Act.
Presiding magistrate Isheunesu Matova ordered the State to proceed to trial following delays in the case, which stems from an April 2024 complaint filed by youthful petroleum trader Shingai Levison Muringi.
Mutenha was arrested in dramatic fashion by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad after Muringi reported him for allegedly extorting money and refusing to return a vehicle used as loan collateral—even after the debt had been repaid.
According to court papers, Muringi borrowed USD35,000 from Mutenha under a high-interest informal loan (commonly known as chimbadzo), offering his Toyota Hilux GD6 as surety.
The businessman claims he repaid a total of USD55,000, covering the principal and interest over two months.
However, upon demanding the return of his vehicle, Mutenha allegedly refused—insisting on an additional USD15,000, and allegedly name-dropping prominent figures including members of the First Family and gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya to intimidate Muringi.
The State is represented by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, with CID officers and Muringi himself listed as key witnesses.
The extortion charge, under Section 134 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], will also see testimony from investigators from the CID Cyber Forensics Unit, who are expected to present digital evidence.
In a twist, Mutenha allegedly filed a counter-report against Muringi in what the defense argues was an attempt to deflect attention.
That matter, however, was dismissed after the accused failed to attend court hearings. The court issued a Further Refusal of Remand in favor of Muringi.
Muringi is represented by veteran Harare lawyer Claude Bare, of Claude, Petronellah & Nomazulu At Law.
The trial is expected to bring to light further details of the alleged illegal lending scheme, as the court weighs whether Mutenha’s actions violated Zimbabwe’s microfinance regulations and constituted criminal extortion.
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