Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A bursar at Foundation Group of Colleges has appeared in court, accused of attempting to fraudulently acquire a client’s US$28 000 house by forging her signature on a fake agreement of sale. Witness Ncube (44), of Nketa 8, Bulawayo, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate
Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube, facing a charge of forgery.
He was remanded out of custody to October 23 on US$100 bail. As part of his bail conditions, Ncube was ordered to report once a week at Bulawayo Central Police Station, not interfere with State witnesses, and reside at his given address until the case is finalised.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that the incident occurred in July 2022, when Elidah Ncube (58), accompanied by her son Mzingami Masina, approached the accused at his workplace seeking a US$2 000 loan.
The accused agreed to provide the money at an interest of US$800. However, instead of disbursing the full amount, he allegedly gave the complainant US$1 700, claiming the remaining US$300 was for lawyer’s fees.
“The complainant signed for the money she received, but was never given a copy of the loan agreement,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
The court heard that on July 7, 2022, Ncube allegedly forged the complainant’s signature on a fake agreement of sale and acknowledgment of debt, inserting false details to fraudulently claim ownership of the complainant’s house in Nkulumane, valued at US$28 000.
The alleged fraud came to light when Ncube presented the forged documents at both the Western Commonage Court (WCCG03/23) and the Tredgold Civil Court (CG47/24) as evidence of ownership.
Suspicious of the documents, the complainant reported the matter to the police. Samples of her genuine signature were submitted for forensic analysis, and a qualified document examiner concluded that the signatures on the disputed documents were forged.
A police report was then filed, leading to Ncube’s arrest.
