By Latwell Nyangu
Social media personality and ex-convict Kudakwashe Hove has been arrested again, this time for another fraud case just a few months after his release from prison.
Hove is accused of deceiving a businesswoman out of US$100 worth of meat last week.
Previously, Hove was imprisoned in January last year for consuming food worth $364 at a local restaurant without paying.
Since his release, Hove has faced various new fraud charges.
On Saturday, he was arrested for allegedly using a fake proof of payment (PoP) to obtain the US$100 worth of meat.
Kudakwashe, known on social media as @iamhove, was subsequently taken into custody.
“He ordered the meat, we went to his house to deliver, and he showed me a fake proof of payment. We left believing it was genuine,” said the businesswoman. “It was for US$100 worth of meat. Since then, he has kept postponing the payment, even promising to arrange an Ecocash transfer, but nothing materialized. I went to the police on Tuesday.”
“Imagine, he came out of jail and immediately got involved in this. If he hadn’t mistakenly called me from his direct number, I wouldn’t have discovered his real identity. He is a fraudster through and through.”
Chats obtained by H-Metro reveal Hove repeatedly delaying the payment. In one message, he wrote:
“Morning, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by my delay in payment. I understand the importance of honouring financial commitments and deeply regret the oversight on my part. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to make the payment by the original deadline. However, I assure you that I will have the full amount paid by 1 pm tomorrow without fail. To express my regret for the inconvenience caused, I would like to offer an additional US$15 along with the repayment. Please consider granting me a one-day extension for the payment.”
