HARARE – Popular comedienne Felistas Murata, known by her stage name Mai Titi, has been released from prison by the High Court after serving four-and-a-half months of an 18-month jail term for fraud.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not contest the application made by her lawyers challenging both the conviction and sentence, leading Justice Happias Zhou to order her release.
Mai Titi’s lawyer, Admire Masango, explained that the trial magistrate, Munashe Chibanda, had made an error in convicting the social media star.
“We pursued the appeal, and the State conceded that the conviction in the lower court was not proper.
“The High Court accepted the State’s concession, which means the conviction from the lower court has now been set aside,” stated the lawyer.
Previously, the High Court had denied her bail pending appeal, citing a lack of prospects for success.
Mai Titi had been convicted of fraud and theft of trust property.
In one count, she was accused of misrepresenting facts to Rachel Mhuka, claiming she needed $10,000 for a business venture and offering a Mercedes Benz vehicle as collateral.
However, she later admitted the car did not belong to her, giving Mhuka another vehicle, an Audi, as surety.
Ultimately, Mhuka was left with an invalid passport and no repayment.
In a second count, she had rented an Audi Q5 from a car rental company and agreed to make weekly payments of $770.
She failed to make these payments, and when the company demanded the vehicle’s return, she became evasive.
The car rental company reported her to the police, leading to the recovery of the vehicle at Mhuka’s residence.
Mai Titi’s release follows the High Court’s acknowledgment of flaws in her initial conviction, providing her with the opportunity to resume her professional endeavors after months of incarceration.
