Zvikomborero Parafini
A 44-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court facing allegations of defrauding a prospective property buyer of US$15,000 in a botched residential stand deal in Belvedere, Harare.
Tendai Sithole appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai and was remanded in custody to Thursday for bail considerations.
Chipo Muvhamba prosecuted.
The State alleges that sometime in July 2022, Sithole was introduced to the prospective buyer through a relative who indicated that he was selling a residential stand.
Sithole allegedly claimed he was selling Stand Number 19024, Belvedere, measuring about 2 000 square metres, for US$30,000.
He allegedly claimed that the property was under a Harare City Council cession arrangement.
On July 27, 2022, the prospective buyer allegedly paid Sithole an initial deposit of US$15,000, after which the two signed an agreement acknowledging the payment.
The alleged fraud reportedly came to light in 2024 when the area where the stand was situated was demolished by the City of Harare, leading to allegations that Sithole had misrepresented the status of the property. The State alleges that the prospective buyer lost the entire US$15,000, with nothing recovered.
