Harare Man Walks Free After Stealing US$13k Raised Online For A Patient’s Kidney Transplant

A Harare man got US$100 bail after he allegedly stole US$13k well-wishers had donated for a patient’s kidney transplant.

Forty-six-year-old Tendai Chibwe, an Ecocash agent in Dzivarasekwa 4, appeared in court yesterday for fraud. He looted US$13,000 that people donated online to cover Ruth Hwarara’s medical expenses abroad.

Harare Man Walks Free After Stealing US$13k Raised Online For A Patient’s Kidney Transplant

Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero released Chibwe on US$100 bail. He will return to court on September 26.

The Herald reported that Chibwe allegedly deceived Nigel Makono, who had raised money for his niece Ruth Hwarara’s urgent kidney transplant.

In January, Ruth fell ill, and Makono turned to social media to ask for donations, which he received through his EcoCash account. When his account reached its limit, Makono went to Chibwe’s shop on April 3 to withdraw US$6,000.

Chibwe promised Makono that the cash was available, but after receiving the transfer in batches, he only gave Makono US$500. Chibwe then asked Makono to return later, but Makono couldn’t as he needed to be at the hospital.

Makono made additional transfers totalling US$13,000 but only received US$1,100 from Chibwe. Attempts to recover the remaining money were unsuccessful, as Chibwe became uncooperative.

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Drama In The Background

There was a lot of intrigue behind the donations for Ruth’s medical procedure. A couple of social media influencers were moved by her plight and appealed to their fans for donations.

Zimbabweans moved in droves to donate for Ruth to get a kidney transplant. As time progressed, the family went mute and stopped providing updates on the money and if it had been put towards Ruth’s medical expenses.

When news of the theft of Ruth’s money went public, social media users who donated took the influencers to task, accusing them of involvement in the fraud.

One influencer, King Solomon, had to narrate the ordeal:

“Communication was good when they [Ruth’s relatives] wanted our help. Things changed when we raised thousands of dollars. Communication yakabva yadhakwa. Yes, takabatsira ku raiser mari, but according to how Ruth’s relatives respond, it seems as if we don’t have control over Ruth’s money, and nyaya [yemari] iri kunzi vakavharwa, ndatozviziwo nhasi. In short, they don’t consult us when making decisions saka zvakawanda hatisi kuziva. That’s the truth. Musatuke vana Joey vaitopopoterawo ma updates every now and then.”

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