Bulawayo woman jailed for 2 years in US$4,100 housing stand scam

A 50-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo woman has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for defrauding another woman of US$4,100 in a failed housing stand deal.

Lucia Sibanda, of Pumula South suburb, was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment by Western Commonage magistrate Mrs Learnear Khumalo. However, eight months of the sentence were suspended for five years, on condition that she does not commit any offence involving dishonesty during that period.

The remaining 16 months were also suspended on the condition that she restitutes the complainant, Mrs Agnes Banda, a sum of US$3,400 through the clerk of court. Sibanda will only be released after full restitution has been made.

In sentencing her, Mrs Khumalo said fraud cases were on the rise in Bulawayo and there was a need to send a strong message to deter would-be offenders.
“The complainant said she suffered financially because of this. Cases involving dishonesty are on the increase in the city. There is a need to deter would-be offenders and show them that the law does not tolerate such behaviour,” she said.

According to the State, represented by Ms Mandrela Chisiiwa, the incident occurred in June 2024 when Mrs Banda approached Sibanda at her home, having been referred by someone who claimed Sibanda could assist her in acquiring a residential stand from Bulawayo City Council.

“Sibanda claimed she had connections within the council and charged Mrs Banda US$4,100 for the stand. Mrs Banda initially paid US$100 and later cleared the balance in instalments,” said Ms Chisiiwa.

After completing the payments by the end of July last year, Mrs Banda requested receipts as proof of payment. Sibanda responded by sending a photo of a receipt via WhatsApp.

“Mrs Banda then went to Cowdray Park housing offices to verify the receipt. Housing officers informed her that the receipt was fake,” said the prosecutor.

A total of US$4,100 had been paid, but only US$700 was recovered. The matter was reported to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest.