Man loses $9k in stand deal

Letwin Mubonesi

FOR allegedly defrauding his customer of $9 820 in a botched residential stand deal, a Penhalonga man was last week arraigned before the courts. Perfect Matika who resides at Number 289, Penhalonga and is the director of Index Company was not asked to plead when he appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura facing fraud charges.

Mr Fletcher Karombe appeared for the State.

It is alleged that Matika duped Crispen Chundu into believing that he had been allocated land by Mutasa Rural District Council.

He also alleged that he had been cleared by the Department of Physical Planning and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to develop residential stands.

He went on to tell Chundu that the land was ready for construction and was paid $9 820.

Mr Karombe said: “On August 24, 2011, Matika who is a land developer was allocated unserviced land SG1813 in Penhalonga by Mutasa Rural District Council. He later advertised that he was selling some of the stands in the local Press in which Chundu responded to the advertisement on June 8, 2013.

“Chundu requested for 3000 square meters for his intended residential stand and was charged $9 820 which he paid to the accused person in the presence of Joseph Vhurepi on acknowledgement of receipt of payment.

“Matika informed the complainant that it was not possible to have 3000 square meters, but would rather have 1500 square meters.

“The two agreed and drafted a Memorandum of Agreement of sale. He then took Chundu to show him the land SG1813 area in Penhalonga where he had bought two unserviced residential stands. However, the land was not yet developed as required by Regional, Town and Country Act Chapter 29;12, Section 43.

“He went on to sell the stands to Chundu before getting a layout plan from the responsible department and later told the complainant that he will service the stands before August 30, 2013,” said Mr Karombe.

He went on to tell the court that the stands which Chundu bought was not approved by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for residential purposes since it had some mining claims, hence Matika was not supposed to sell the land to Chundu before getting clearance from the Department of Physical Planning as well as the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

The money he had been paid by Chundu was not recovered.

Mrs Chiundura adjourned the matter to May 12 for trial and Matika was remanded out of custody on $400 bail.