Zimbabwe pastor fakes armed robbery to cover up scam on congregation
Pastor Lebraity Makuni, the head of Praise and Worship Centre Assembly in Zimbabwe, has been arrested on charges of allegedly orchestrating an armed robbery to conceal his own fraudulent activities.
Makuni, 28, claimed to the police that he had been the victim of a robbery at his residence in Chitungwiza, where he reported losing $7,500 and various valuables. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that Makuni had fabricated the incident to cover up a financial scheme that had failed.
According to the authorities, Makuni had received $3,000 and a Techno cellphone from a member of his congregation, on the promise of providing maize for their poultry business. When he did not fulfill this promise, he allegedly staged the robbery as a means to evade responsibility.
Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, a spokesperson for Harare provincial police, confirmed Makuni’s arrest for providing false information to the police. Makuni was released on a $100 bail condition, with the requirement to report to the Chitungwiza CID weekly. He is scheduled to appear in court again next week.