Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
Harare magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande has recused herself from presiding over the case in which former Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) board chairman Basil Nyabadza is facing allegations of defrauding Mr Blessed Geza of US$1 362 000 in a land deal.
Ms Mazhande recused herself from the matter citing personal reasons.
During the previous sitting, the magistrate had said she would remove Nyabadza from remand if Mr Geza failed to appear in court.
It is the State’s case that on 29 October 2020, Geza bought some land measuring 42,3504 hectares from Nyabadza for US$1 362 000.
Geza was granted sole authority to subdivide, develop, and sell the land.
When the agreement of sale was done, Nyabadza allegedly misrepresented to Geza that the land had title deeds, which he would avail in a month. However, he failed to deliver.
It is alleged that while Geza was in the process of obtaining subdivision permits for the land, he discovered that Nyabadza had sold the same land to Velda Estates.
The court heard that Geza engaged Nyabadza over the matter hoping for an amicable solution, only to discover that his agreement of sale had been cancelled without his knowledge.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Nyabadza being summoned to the courts.
Geza was prejudiced of US$1 362 000 and nothing was recovered.
