BUSINESSMAN DUPES HOME SEEKERS OF OVER US$1,6M

Zvikomborero Parafini

A BUSINESSMAN allegedly duped home seekers of over US$1,600,000.

Marshall Mutandwa Shadaya was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa yesterday.

Shadaya also appeared on behalf of the Fiona Dambudzo Shadaya Trust.

The first complainant is Kingsley Zimbudzana, who is employed by the Airforce of Zimbabwe.

Allegations are that in 2014, Shadaya advised Zimbudzana that he was selling Stand Number 4077, Lot 1 of subdivision H of Nthaba of Glen Lorne Township, Harare, held under deed of transfer number 8572/2006, measuring 4000 square metres.

The cost was US$100,000.

On May 16, 2024, an agreement of sale was entered into by the two parties, resulting in the first cash instalment payment of US$70,000 at Shadaya’s Utano Motors office in Avondale.

An invoice was issued as confirmation of payment.

The remaining US$30,000 balance was paid by Gift Zimbudzana, who is son of the complainant.

It was paid within the agreed 30-day period after the signing of the agreement of sale.

After completing payment, Zimbudzana requested to start the process of conveyancing and Shadhaya said he had some issues which he needed to sort out with the Harare City Council first.

He continued giving excuses, resulting in the complainant suspecting foul play.

It was later discovered that the stand belonged to Shadaya Family Trust and that he had no right or power to sell it.

As a result of Shadhaya’s actions, the complainant suffered prejudice of US$100,000 and nothing has been recovered.

The second complainant is Louis Maronga, the director of Lupart Technologies (Pvt) Ltd.

Allegations are that on January 28, 2022, Maronga was hired by Shadhaya to service a certain piece of land, otherwise known as Stand 103 Luna Township of subdivision P of Luna section 4 of Borrowdale Estate.

It measures 3,3 hectares and the intention was to turn the property into residential stands.

Maronga finished servicing the stands and, for his payment, he was allocated four stands – stand 163 measuring 3 211 square metres, stand 164 measuring 2016 square metres, stand 165 measuring 2019 square metres and the remainder of Lot 3 measuring 4 530 square metres.

Shadhaya went on to sell the same stands for US$1,500 000 and only US$140,000 was recovered.