Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A SUSPECTED land baron has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding a company director of US$97 289.50 after falsely claiming to have 35 residential stands for sale in Donnybrook, Mabvuku, Harare.
Peter Mubare (58) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai facing a charge of fraud.
He was remanded in custody pending his bail ruling to Thursday.
The complainant is Muneni Logistics (Private) Limited, represented by its director, Mr Obey Bvute.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu alleged that on November 6, 2020, Mubare, acting in connivance with his accomplice Arthur Chidenhe, who is still at large, misrepresented to the complainant that they had 35 residential stands under East Winds Trust.
The stands were allegedly being offered for sale at US$5.50 per square metre in Donnybrook, Mabvuku.
The court heard that the complainant met Mubare and Chidenhe at their lawyers, Musengi and Sigauke Associates, in Eastlea, Harare, where the two allegedly purported to represent East Winds Trust in the sale of the stands.
The complainant became interested in purchasing all 35 stands and was allegedly quoted US$97 289.50 for the transaction.
It is the State’s case that the complainant paid a US$13 500 cash deposit and was issued with an agreement of sale.
On the same day, he allegedly paid the balance of US$83 789.50 in cash and was issued with an acknowledgement of receipt.
However, in 2023, the complainant visited the purported development site and allegedly discovered that the land was being developed by third parties who claimed ownership of the entire property.
Mubare and Chidenhe allegedly then showed the complainant another piece of land and collected a further US$1 800 purportedly for surveyor’s fees.
The complainant later realised that he had allegedly been duped and made several attempts to engage Mubare and his accomplice over the matter.
The two allegedly became evasive, prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police.
Investigations subsequently led to Mubare’s arrest.
