adminKaren Bopoto (27), a lawyer attached to the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Directorate, was jointly charged with businessman Julius Bhakira and his brother Shine (26).
Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma removed the trio from remand after the State failed to furnish them with a trial date arguing the docket was not ready.
Prosecutor Miss Ellen Mokora alleged that some time in 2009, Christopher Mwerenga, who is based in South Africa and owns a house in Gunhill, ordered his brother-in-law, Farai Sithole, to rent out the property.
Sithole entered into a lease agreement with Julius on condition he would be depositing US$1 800 as monthly rentals into Mwerenga’s bank account.
It was alleged Julius went on to sublet the house to Sydney Hall after claiming to be the owner.
He further said he had managed to pay US$280 000 and had an outstanding balance of US$100 000.
Hall, the court heard, was given an offer by Julius to pay the US$100 000 balance so that he would be incorporated into joint ownership of the house.
On March 31, Hall was served with the eviction order and a neighbour’s gardener got wind of the story and phoned Mwerenga in SA, who then sent his wife to investigate the matter.
Online Reporter