Bogus stands dealer nabbed

Zvikomborero Parafini

A SUSPECTED bogus residential stands dealer, who was illegally selling land to people in Spitzkop, just outside Harare, has been nabbed and denied bail.

Gilbert Kanyongo of Vevhu Development Marketing Company, and his company secretary Nomatter Rukawe, are accused of misrepresenting themselves to be agents of Vevhu Resources (Pvt) Ltd.

They were selling land to people and collected over US$60 000, yet their contract was terminated in 2017.  

The two were not asked to plead to fraud allegations when they appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda.

Kanyongo was denied bail while Rukawe was released on $20 000 bail with the court ruling that he has a case to answer.

The court heard that from 2017 up to date, the two connived and misrepresented to land seekers that they were agents of Vevhu Resources.

They would sell and allocate stands to people.

It is alleged that the two knew that their company’s contract to represent Vevhu Resources had been terminated.

The court heard that clients continued to pay and were allocated stands without the authority of Vevhu Resources, the owners of the land.

The two were arrested on August 30, after a trap was set.

Rukawe was found in possession of trap money, comprising two US$100 notes, which were received from one Svodai Gonorenzou, as payment for a stand.

Pardon Dziva appeared for the State.