Company director loses US$17 500 in fake BCC land deal

A 49 YEAR OLD man who allegedly posed as an employee of the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is facing fraud charges after reportedly duping the owner and director of Lonatech Air Technology Solutions (Pvt) Limited of US$17 500 in a botched commercial stand deal.

Nkosilathi Sibanda, of Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo, appeared in court yesterday before Bulawayo Provincial magistrate Mr Isheunesu Mathoba. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to tomorrow pending a bail application.

The accused Mr Tapiwa Solani. , is being represented by his legal practitioner, Lovemore Mutoko

Principal prosecutor Mr Milton Moyo told the court that sometime in December 2025, the complainant met the accused in town at a photocopying shop.

After exchanging greetings and holding discussions, the accused allegedly told the complainant that he could facilitate the purchase of commercial stands from the Bulawayo City Council, which had been repossessed from defaulting beneficiaries.

“Sibanda then advised the complainant to apply for placement on the waiting list with the BCC housing department, which the complainant did, and was asked to pay a total of US$280 for swift facilitation of those stands. He was then given reference numbers 2017/8113/12 and 2018/6712/44 for the two stands,” said Mr Moyo.

The prosecutor further told the court that the commercial stands were valued at US$17 500, and the complainant was advised that the money could be paid in instalments into Sibanda’s bank account, after which the accused would allegedly remit it to the Bulawayo City Council.

“The complainant proceeded to send money to the accused on different dates until it amounted to US$17 500,” said Mr Moyo.

The matter came to light when the complainant later requested Sibanda to provide Bulawayo City Council receipts as proof of payment for the stands, but the accused failed to do so.

The complainant subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.