Celebration over no bail for ‘fugitive’ housing fraudster

YESTERDAY, the courtroom in Bulawayo witnessed a momentary pause as victims celebrated the decision by a magistrate to deny bail to Elliot Mharadze, an alleged serial housing fraudster.

The atmosphere was not one of jubilation but rather sombre satisfaction, knowing that Mharadze would finally face the consequences of his alleged actions.

Mharadze’s trial is scheduled to commence on April 19, pending the completion of evidence gathering by the State.

The presiding magistrate, Joseph Mabeza, justified the denial of bail based on the strong case against Mharadze and the high risk of him absconding trial.

His use of fake addresses and declaration of bankruptcy further contributed to this decision.

Represented by his lawyer, Tinashe Katanaire Mutuso, Mharadze’s face turned pale upon hearing the verdict. For the past five years, he had allegedly been on the run after swindling home seekers of foreign exchange.

Now, facing 33 counts of fraud, the number is expected to rise as additional complaints come forward.

During his initial appearance, Siphiwe Mhlanga, the prosecutor, revealed that on September 4, 2018, one of the complainants, Butholezwe Dube, visited Mharadze’s company offices at the intersection of Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue in the city centre. His intention? To purchase a residential property.

“Mharadze then offered to build the complainant a two-roomed house in Pumula South for US$17 000. The accused and the complainant then entered into an agreement and Mr Dube then paid a deposit of US$13 000,” said Mhlanga.

In court proceedings, it was revealed that Dube visited the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) offices to inquire about the stand. To his dismay, he discovered that the stand had already been sold and registered under someone else’s name.

On December 24, 2018, Mharadze employed the same deceptive tactics and duped Joyce Moyo by selling a non-existent stand for R215 000.

Similarly, on March 22, 2018, Mharadze defrauded Claudious Manamela of US$5 000, claiming that the house was located in Nkulumane suburb.

Bongani Nyathi fell victim to Mharadze’s scheme on July 18, 2018, losing US$19 000 for a house purportedly in Pelandaba.

Sizi Ndlovu suffered a loss of R270 000 on March 22, 2019, due to a botched house deal with Mharadze, who falsely claimed to be selling property in the Pelandaba suburb.

Lastly, on August 24, 2019, Tackler Gumbo was allegedly defrauded of R190 000 by Mharadze, who once again used the guise of selling a house in Pelandaba.

“On November 21, 2019, Mharadze duped Mr Tafara Dube R205 000 after purportedly selling a house in Pelandaba suburb. Mharadze went on to dupe another complainant, Ms Tafara Dube of US$3 800 after claiming there was a house for sale in Cowdray Park suburb,” said Mhlanga.

On December 23 during the same year, Mharadze defrauded Tsitsi Machiri of R103 000 and US$3 400 for a house that he claimed was selling in Pelandaba.

During the same month, Mharadze allegedly conned one Muziukhona US$3 725, on the pretext that he was selling a house in Pumula South.

The total amount that Mharadze allegedly pocketed through prejudicing the complainants is US$47 925 and R953 000.