Duo faces US$23k fraud charges

Ashley Mujoma

TWO Harare men have appeared in court for fraud charges involving US$23 308.70

Dillion Mashinge (44) and Brighton Ruzvidzo (40) appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Mashinge was granted $50 000 bail and Ruzvidzo $30 000.

It is the State’s case that between August 2016 and 2019, the two hatched a plan to defraud the complainant.

Mashinge misrepresented facts to the complainant that the Sectional Deed of Transfer number 917/15 had been cancelled, as it was processed using an incomplete beneficiary list.

Dillion further misrepresented that for the deed of transfer to be re-issued, there was need for him to pay US$23 308.70 to cover various bills.

In July 2019, Ruzvidzo called the complainant, pretending to be a secretary of a judge at the High Court, asking for a chamber application default fee. He also called the complainant and pretended to be Detective Sergeant Makwara, from CID Commercial Crimes Division, investigating circumstances surrounding the issuance of the sectional deed of transfer.

From 2016 to December 2020, the complainant acted upon the accused misrepresentation and made payments amounting to US$23 308.70

In a bid to cover this up, the accused gave the complainant fake proof of payment receipts.

The mobile numbers, used for communication, were registered in the name of Ruzvidzo, as confirmed by the service providers.

Investigations established that no payment was made to ZIMRA and City of Harare.

The High Court confirmed that it did not handle cases involving the complainant and the issue of the sectional deed transfer.

Lawyer, Taurai Kativhu, denied having been engaged by the accused.