Estate agent up for fraud

Manicaland Correspondent
A MUTARE estate agent has appeared in court on charges of fraud after allegedly selling a residential stand twice.
The accused, Rodrick Chasauka of RC Chasie Properties and Auctioneers (Pvt) Ltd in Mutare appeared before magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo for allegedly selling stand number 2116 Hobhouse 2 Extension to two different people.

The property belonged to Mrs Nokuthula Murahwa, who wanted to sell it for $7 000.
It is alleged that Chasauka initially sold the undeveloped stand to Vimbai and Oscar Dimba for $7 000.
The couple then paid a deposit of $4 000.

According to the agreement of sale, they were supposed to clear the balance of $3 000 in monthly instalments of $400.
Before the Dumbas had finished paying the balance, Chasauka allegedly sold the same stand to one Gotosa.
When Mrs Murahwa became suspicious, she confronted Chasauka, who allegedly promised her that he would reimburse the Dimbas their $4 000 since he had sold the same stand to Gotosa.

In August 2017, Chasauka allegedly phoned Mrs Murahwa’s husband to collect her outstanding payment from his office.
Mrs Murahwa was allegedly given $2 394 after Chasauka had deducted his commission.

“Chasauka did not surrender to me the full purchase price that was paid by Gotosa, and did not even disclose how much he collected,” argued Mrs Murahwa.

She said Gotosa indicated to her that he had paid the full purchase price of $7 000 for the stand.
Mrs Murahwa then went to Chasauka’s office to enquire if Dimba was not going to sue her for breach of contract, but Chasauka told her that the situation was under control.

Sensing danger, Mrs Murahwa approached the Dimbas and advised them to collect their initial deposit from Chasauka.
The Dimbas were, however, promised another stand by Chasauka instead.

Mrs Murahwa then approached the courts demanding the money she was owed by Chasauka and that owed to the Dimbas.
“Considering the period that has lapsed from the date I received the outstanding balance from Chasauka to current date, it is apparent that Chasauka converted the proceeds from Gotosa to his own use,” she said.

“I am now claiming from Chasauka $4 606 which is supposed to be reimbursed to Dimba and $506 which he borrowed from me on August 16, 2017.”