Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
A HARARE man was allegedly duped into paying US$45 000 for a residential stand by a bogus landowner who reportedly produced fake City of Harare documents to convince him the property was genuine.
Ashley Tinaye Charlie (28) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo facing fraud charges and was remanded in custody to September 22 for bail consideration.
The complainant, Mr Moses Phiri, is based in Madagascar. The State, led by Mr Tatenda Chiriseri, alleged that sometime in 2021, Charlie, acting in connivance with Pearson Chinanga, who is already appearing in the same case, hatched a plan to defraud Mr Phiri.
The court heard that Chinanga approached the complainant and misrepresented to him that Charlie was the owner of Stand 783, The Grange, being part of Stand 562 of The Grange Township, measuring 3 200 square metres.
Chinanga allegedly introduced Mr Phiri to Charlie, who then repeated the same misrepresentation and offered the stand for sale for US$48 000.
Mr Phiri allegedly viewed the property and expressed interest in buying it.
The State alleged that Charlie then produced a fake City of Harare offer letter bearing council’s letterhead and purportedly signed in the name of the Director of Housing and Community Services.
He also allegedly produced a fake survey diagram, leading Mr Phiri to believe the transaction was genuine. Between March and July 2021, Mr Phiri allegedly made several payments to Charlie, which eventually amounted to US$45 000.
The court heard that the two parties subsequently signed an agreement of sale, while Charlie allegedly signed acknowledgements of receipt whenever he received money from Mr Phiri.
However, sometime in 2025, Mr Phiri discovered that Charlie was not the owner of the stand and had no authority to sell it.
He also allegedly discovered that the documents supplied to him were fake, prompting him to report the matter to the police.
The State alleges that the total prejudice suffered by Mr Phiri is US$45 000 and nothing has been recovered.
