Taurai Prosper Vanhuvaone, a 29-year-old from Barbourfields suburb, was recently exposed for posing as a doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital under the alias Prosper Mpofu.
Following his arrest on Tuesday, Vanhuvaone appeared in court yesterday to face charges of fraud and misrepresentation.
During his court appearance, Vanhuvaone, who is representing himself, pleaded with Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa to grant him bail, citing his constitutional rights.
He argued that bail is a constitutional right for all Zimbabweans, referencing Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s statements and Justice Pisirayi’s 2019 ruling that police assumptions cannot be used to deny bail.
Vanhuvaone emphasized that the State should provide compelling reasons, as per Section 50 (1) (d) of the constitution, to justify denying him bail.
Vanhuvaone’s bail hearing has been set for September 23.
In the meantime, prosecutor Hazel Siphiwe Sithole opposed bail, citing the gravity of the offense and the risk of Vanhuvaone fleeing.
Vanhuvaone countered that he never attempted to evade the police and provided his residential address for verification.
The court will decide whether Vanhuvaone’s case warrants an exception to this principle.
“I would like to ask the court for bail as I never ran away from the police when they confronted me. They verified my residential address and I understand that the seriousness of an offence should not be the sole reason for denying one bail,” Vanhuvaone said.
He begged the court to grant him bail saying he was the breadwinner for his mother and grandmother.
“They both suffer from chronic illnesses and without me, it is going to be hard for them,” said Vanhuvaone.
Hazel Siphiwe Sithole for the State opposed bail, arguing that Vanhuvaone is a flight risk given the gravity of the offence he allegedly committed.
