adminUS$29 000 in a residential property deal.
Kevin Marondera of Muchandibaya and Associates had pleaded not guilty to fraud charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera.
Marondera was removed from remand after mounting an application arguing that there was no reasonable suspicion that he committed the offence in question.
The State alleged that Marondera teamed up with Tichaona Mawere who is still at large and made fake title deeds of a house that belonged to Seprunice Mapfirakufa.
Prosecutor Ms Svodai Kadivire alleges that Seprunice Mapfirakupa was selling a stand in Mount Pleasant through Mac Homes Real Estate Agents for US$ 29 000.
Mabuto reportedly approached the estate agent intending to buy the stand upon where he was advised to seek legal advice. Mabuto reportedly approached Mawere who was then working at the law firm.
It is alleged they misrepresented they were capable of handling the transaction and money transfers.
The duo reportedly gave Mabuto Muchabaiwa and Associates’ trust account number.
The court heard that the purchase price was to be deposited into that account. It is the State’s case that sometime in September last year Mabuto deposited the money into the trust account that they did not forward to Mapfirakupa.
It is alleged that they converted the money to their own use. As a result they allegedly manufactured a fake title deed which they handed to Mabuto.
It is the State’s case that the deed indicated the property was transferred into Mabuto’s name.
The matter surfaced when Mabuto visited the Deeds Office and it was discovered that it was not a genuine one. He reported the matter to the police who arrested Marondera.
Online Reporter