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authority by Jesuit fathers to sell four Chishawasha Estates has been jailed for four years.
Christopher Tapfumaneyi (54) pleaded not guilty to fraud charges when he appeared before Magistrate Mr Never Katiyo but was convicted after a full trial.
In aggravation, the State submitted that Tapfumaneyi had committed a serious offence as the complainants lost a substantial amount of money.
Prosecutor Mr Editor Mavuto urged the court to impose a custodial offence since he had the audacity to lie using God’s premises.
He was slapped with 10 years.
Two years were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence.
Four years were suspended on condition he restitutes the trio US$416 000, US$74 000 and US$74 000 respectively on or before December 31 this year.
The State proved beyond doubt that sometime in July 2006, Gabriel Siya was referred to Tapfumaneyi by a woman who informed him that he was selling commercial stands at Silveira House, in Chishawasha.
He was shown a site plan of the stands and was invited to Silveira House for further discussions.
Siya went to Silveira House and met Tapfumaneyi, who misrepresented to him that he had a mandate from Jesuit fathers, the legal owners of the land, to sell the commercial stands and he paid
Tapfumaneyi Z$103 900 000 for two commercial stands.
Tapfumaneyi produced the site plan.
He showed Mr Siya two stands that he claimed were vacant.
The State proved that Tapfumaneyi used the same procedure to dupe Nyasha Saki and Linnet Mupfunga Z$186 000 000 each for 30 acres of land in the same year.
The total amount, which the three were prejudiced was converted and amounted to US$564 000.
The trio reported to the police leading to Tapfumaneyi’s arrest.
Cases of bogus lawyers and estate agents selling non existant stands are on the rise.
Online Reporter