Man faces string of fraud charges

was on bail pending appeal against a 12-year term of imprisonment imposed on him for fraud.
Shingirai Mapuranga was not formally charged when he appeared before magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei facing fresh charges of fraud.
Mapuranga was granted US$500 bail but the State appealed against the bail ruling arguing that Mapuranga was not a suitable candidate for bail.

Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe said Mapuranga was convicted of fraud and he was slapped with 12 years imprisonment by a Chitungwiza magistrate.
The State also said Mapuranga should not be granted bail because he committed three other offences of similar nature while on bail.
It is the State’s case that sometime in February last year, Mapuranga misrepresented to Josephine Gatsi that he was the owner of stands number 22517 Riverside in Chitungwiza.

It is alleged that the two entered into an agreement of sale for a Waterfalls stand number 664 Button Close in which stand number 22517 Riverside Chitungwiza was going to be part of the payment.
When the Gatsi wanted to sell the Riverside stand she discovered that the Mapuranga did not own it, the court heard.
Gatsi lost US$5 000 through the misrepresentation.

It is further alleged that in June this year, Mapuranga advertised in The Herald that he was selling stand number 765 Westgate in Harare.
Taruvinga Dzokamushure responded to the advert and later went to Mapuranga’s office at Unit J Shopping Centre.
Mapuranga allegedly drafted an agreement of sale, which he gave to Dzokamushure to sign.

Mapuranga indicated that the owner of the stand Gilbert Chiminya had already signed the agreement of sale.
It is alleged that Mapuranga then instructed Dzokamushure to deposit US$9 000 as part payment into the former’s CABS account.
On August 2011, Mapuranga flighted another advert in The Herald indicating that he was selling stands in Bluff Hill and Chitungwiza. On seeing the advert Taona Jakachira contacted Mapuranga who told

him that the two stands were on sale for US$15 000 each, it is alleged.
Jakachira reportedly carried out his own investigations and discovered that the two stands were not on sale. Further investigations were carried out at the Registrar of Deeds and it was discovered that the two stands did not belong to Mapuranga, the court heard.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Mapuranga. The matter was remanded to September 14.