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Mashudu Mambo
A 27-YEAR-OLD woman from Bulawayo has been left counting her losses after she was defrauded of US$6 350 by a housing agent.
Circumstances are that on 21 June 2024 at around 2 pm, the victim and Jacob Ratabwa who is employed as a housing agent met up at Upper Rangemore.
Ratabwa went on to show the victim some housing stands that were available, she chose a 250 square meter stand which was priced at US$6 350.
The following day, she paid a deposit of US$1 400 and after some time, she cleared the balance of USD $4 950 and an agreement of sale was signed between the victim and the suspect.
On 25 January 2025, the victim visited the stand and was stunned when she realised that someone had dug a foundation on her land.
She approached a neighbour who informed her that the stand belonged to someone who is based in South Africa and she requested the contact of the said stand owner.
The complainant enquired from the stand owner and he confirmed that the stand belonged to him. She approached Ratambwa who did not give her a satisfactory explanation. The matter was reported to the police.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and urged the public to be cautious in dealing with housing agents.
“We are investigating a case of a woman who was defrauded of about US$6 350 by a housing agent. The police would like to urge the public to be cautious when dealing with agents by verifying the authenticity of these agents before doing any transactions. We are also appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused person,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu