Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A HARARE man has appeared in court facing fraud allegations after he allegedly misrepresented that he had authority to sell a residential stand and received US$15,000 from a prospective buyer.
Ashton Chinhoyi (49) was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo charged with fraud.
His accomplice, Trevor Chinhoyi, is still at large.
The State alleges that in March 2022, the complainant, who was looking to buy a residential stand, approached Chinhoyi seeking assistance in finding a property.
Prosecutors claim Chinhoyi informed him that he had inherited a stand at Number 6506 Budiriro 5B, Harare, from his late father, Collins Chinhoyi, and would discuss the proposed sale with his siblings.
It is alleged that after about two weeks, Chinhoyi returned with the second suspect and advised the complainant that the family had agreed to sell the property.
The pair allegedly produced an affidavit, purportedly written by their late father indicating that they were responsible for the property and had authority to dispose of it.
They claimed represented their sisters had consented to the sale.
The court heard that the complainant was shown the stand, which had a two-roomed cottage, and subsequently agreed to purchase it for US$15,000.
According to the State, the parties later met before a Commissioner of Oaths in Harare, where the complainant paid the full purchase price.
However, when he later sought to deliver building materials to the stand, the two men allegedly began giving excuses.
Investigations revealed that the property was not for sale.
The complainant was allegedly promised a refund, but the money was never returned, leading to the matter being reported to the police.
The State alleges that the complainant suffered prejudice of US$15,000 and that nothing has been recovered.
