Two Bulawayo men, Pardon Chinhengo (29) and Clifford Sidingani Ndlovu (49), thought they had pulled off the ultimate scam with US$1,500 in counterfeit notes. However, their plan was foiled when Chinhengo tried to use one of the fake notes to buy fuel at Glow Petroleum Garage.
The attendant, Mr. Salim Abdul, wasn’t buying it (pun intended). He suspected the note was counterfeit and questioned Chinhengo, who cracked under pressure and revealed that he got the fake cash from Ndlovu. Talk about loyalty!
Both men pleaded guilty to violating Section 40 of the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act, which prohibits the possession of articles intended for criminal use. Because, you know, possessing fake money isn’t exactly a smart move. They were remanded in custody for sentencing, and we’re eagerly awaiting their fate.
This case is part of a growing trend of counterfeit currency incidents in Zimbabwe. Authorities are cracking down on these financial felons, and rightly so. Who needs fake money when you can earn real money the honest way? The police are hot on the trail of these counterfeiters, and we’re curious to see how this case unfolds.
The fake notes had some pretty suspicious serial numbers, like CJ61755895A and PF51255585H. Not exactly the most creative aliases, huh? It’s clear that these counterfeiters didn’t do their homework.
This isn’t the first time Zimbabwe has seen a surge in counterfeit currency incidents. In 2023, police in Gweru arrested two other men, Chrispen Kutira (42) and Everson Kabura (38), both from Bulawayo, who were allegedly part of a syndicate circulating fake money.
Chinhengo and Ndlovu will face the music on Thursday for sentencing. Let’s hope they learn their lesson and stick to legitimate ways of making money. After all, crime doesn’t pay – unless you’re really good at it, and even then, it’s not worth the risk.
Counterfeiting is a serious offense with severe consequences. It’s essential to respect the law and the economy. These two men might have thought they were clever, but in the end, they got caught. Let’s see what the court has in store for them.