Kwekwe duo gets community service for hacking Econet system

The Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court has convicted the duo of Dumisani Mutwazi (33) and Tanaka Tayero (27), and sentenced them to 36 months’ imprisonment each for hacking and unlawfully using data or devices to facilitate unauthorised access to Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s computer system, according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ).

The State proved that between the 25th of June and the 10th of July 2025, the offenders unlawfully accessed Econet’s system and sold or made available access codes used to obtain airtime bundles.

On the 11th of July 2025 an Econet corporate fraud specialist reviewed airtime purchases through Yomix and EcoCash discovered suspicious transaction patterns linked to the offenders.

Investigations established that airtime bundles had been purchased repeatedly and distributed to several individuals in exchange for cash. The total financial prejudice suffered by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe was US$12,436.52 and nothing had been recovered.

The Court suspended 10 months of the sentence for five years on condition of good behaviour. A further 18 months was suspended on condition that each offender performs 630 hours of community service.