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TWO Chitungwiza men landed in the dock yesterday for allegedly duping a heavy machinery dealer of several vehicles in exchange for council land they didn’t own.
Taurai Chivhanga, of Chivhanga Family Land Developers, and Elisha Banda, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, who released them on $100 000 bail each. The complainant is Load Investments, operating at Stand Number 19818 Tilco Industrial Area, Chitungwiza.
Load Investments deals in earth moving and road construction equipment. The court heard that Chivhanga and Banda connived to defraud prospective commercial stands seekers.
They identified open council land, measuring about 14 hectares, situated behind the Chitungwiza Industrial area.
It is alleged that in May 2020, the duo approached Load Investments, saying they had been offered a contract by some senior Government officials to supply river sand and quarry stones to a project at the National Heroes Acre.
They allegedly stated that they intended to purchase a load tipper trailer and a truck horse for the project.
Acting on the misrepresentation, Load Investments fell for the bait and agreed to sell to the duo a load tipper trailer, for US$65 000, and an Iveco Euro Trakker horse truck for US$35 000.
It is alleged they initially offered to pay for the two vehicles, through five hectares of commercial land, at the Chitungwiza Industrial area.
The complainant was unhappy with the terms, as he felt short-changed, considering the value of the trailer and the horse truck, against the land they were offering.
Chivhanga and Banda then increased the hectrage to 20, and demanded an additional Nissan HardBody NP300, valued at US$15 000, to complete the deal.
An agreement of sale was drafted and signed on May 19, 2020.
After “acquiring” the land, Load Investments did not develop it, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The offence came to light in April this year when someone produced an offer letter from Chitungwiza Town Council showing he had acquired a portion of the land.
The complainant, and the man who was claiming part of the land, approached the Town Council where it came to light that the land in question belonged to the Council. The complainant realised that he was duped and made a police report leading to Chivhanga and Banda’s arrest.
Pardon Dziva appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter