Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A LAWYER allegedly used forged title deeds, and other counterfeit documents, in an attempt to unlawfully claim ownership of a Borrowdale property valued at US$150,000.
David Junior Munashe Donzvambeva (31) was arrested and appeared before Harare Magistrates, Jessie Kufa, facing a fraud charge.
The State alleges that Donzvambeva acted in connivance with three accomplices, who are still at large, to allegedly forge title deeds for Stand Number 163 Quinnington Township 4, Borrowdale.
Prosecutors claim the forged title deed was created in the name of Grace Communications (Pvt) Ltd for land that legally belonged to the complainant.
It is alleged that after ‘obtaining’ the forged title deed, Donzvambeva and his accomplices applied to subdivide the property before disposing of one of the subdivided stands to a buyer identified only as Dr Chiza.
The court heard that the accused and his accomplices allegedly used the forged title deed to institute eviction proceedings against the complainant, leading to the alleged fraud being uncovered and reported to police.
Investigations by the City of Harare, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property established that the land had previously belonged to the State before being offered to the complainant, and that no title deed had ever been issued for the property.
Police allegedly recovered forged title deeds, a forged City of Harare proof of rates payment, purported confirmation letters from the City of Harare and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, a subdivision permit, company registration certificates and founding affidavits allegedly prepared by the accused.
The State alleges the complainant suffered actual prejudice of US$150,000 and nothing has been recovered.
Investigations are ongoing as police pursue the three other suspected accomplices who remain at large.
