Court Rules $550K Crypto Theft Not a Crime—Victim Takes Action

Legal Action Demanded: Dr. Solomon Guramatunhu is seeking legal action after two suspects, Lloyd and Melissa Chiyangwa, were acquitted of stealing over $550,000 in cryptocurrency due to a court ruling that cryptocurrency is not recognized as legal tender in Zimbabwe.

Court Ruling Controversy: The magistrate's decision, which dismissed fraud charges on technical grounds, has sparked a legal debate, with Guramatunhu's lawyer arguing that cryptocurrency should be considered property under Zimbabwean law, regardless of its legal tender status.

Arguments for Property Rights: Dr. Guramatunhu's legal team contends that controlling a cryptocurrency account equates to controlling the assets within it, and that the unauthorized transfer of digital assets constitutes theft.

Call for Broader Legal Definitions: The defense is advocating for an expanded interpretation of property rights to include cryptocurrency, asserting that the Chiyangwas unlawfully appropriated Guramatunhu's incorporeal rights to the digital assets.