Zimbabwean Doctor Challenges Court Ruling in $550K Crypto Theft Case
A Zimbabwean eye doctor, Dr. Guramatunhu, is escalating efforts to recover over $550,000 stolen from his cryptocurrency wallet. The accused, Lloyd and Melissa Chiyangwa, were acquitted by a regional magistrate citing lack of legal tender status for digital assets in Zimbabwe. The ruling hinged on a technicality—cryptocurrencies' unrecognized status as legal tender—prompting the victim to appeal.
Dr. Guramatunhu's lawyer, Admire Rubaya, contends the court erred by conflating property with legal tender. "Cryptocurrency tokens are property, regardless of their legal tender status," Rubaya argued. The case underscores the legal gray areas surrounding digital asset theft in jurisdictions without clear crypto regulations.