A registered nurse from Mutare, Zimbabwe, has found herself in serious legal trouble after authorities uncovered an elaborate insurance fraud scheme involving deceased individuals.
The Fraudulent Scheme Uncovered
Shamiso Esinath Nyamundanda, a 40-year-old medical professional working at Bamba Rural Health Clinic, stands accused of defrauding Zimnat Life Assurance of $15,000 through fraudulent life insurance claims. The suspect, who also goes by the maiden name Musafari, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing three separate counts of fraud.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the fraudulent activities occurred between August 2022 and July 2025. During this nearly three-year period, Nyamundanda allegedly opened three life insurance policies using the identities of people who had already passed away.
How the Fraud Was Executed
The accused nurse reportedly submitted forged affidavits written in her own handwriting, falsely presenting herself as a relative of the deceased individuals in each case. For each policy, she successfully claimed $5,000, bringing her total illicit gains to $15,000.
The scheme began to unravel when an alert assurance manager noticed irregularities in the submitted documents. Suspicious about the authenticity of the claims, the manager promptly alerted law enforcement authorities.
Police investigations revealed that all insurance payouts had been deposited directly into Nyamundanda's personal bank account, providing clear evidence linking her to the fraudulent activities.
Legal Proceedings and Industry Response
The court has granted Nyamundanda $300 bail, and she is scheduled to return to court on December 9, 2025 for routine remand proceedings.
Insurance authorities have expressed serious concern about such fraudulent activities, emphasizing that they undermine public trust in the insurance system and ultimately disadvantage genuine policyholders. Industry representatives have stressed that professionals who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain will face severe legal consequences.
This case emerges against a backdrop of increasing insurance fraud incidents in Zimbabwe. In a separate case from June 2024, Sylvester Rusere, a 36-year-old man from Hopely, was fined $400 after fabricating a fictitious daughter and falsely reporting her death to claim EcoSure funeral benefits. He received a three-month suspended sentence with a warning that failure to pay the fine would result in imprisonment.
