adminLovemore Meya Court Reporter
A pastor with Believe in God Ministries, who was facing charges of swindling a Seke man of US$12 000 in a residential stand deal, was yesterday acquitted after a full trial.
Victor Majere (30) of Unit M, Chitungwiza, was being accused of duping Felix Benza (32) of Chitsvatsva Village in Seke in a swap deal.
The incident occurred on August 16 last year after the two entered into an agreement that Benza would hand over his stand, No. 1932 Sally Mugabe Heights, to Majere.
In return, Benza would get Stand No. 105 in Unit N, Chitungwiza.
However, the deal failed to materialise when Majere accused Benza of swindling him of his vehicle – a Jeep Cherokee.
Majere denied fraud charges before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Kuda-kwashe Jarabini and was acquitted after a full trial.
“It is hereby ordered that the vehicle and its registration papers be released to the accused person and is found not guilty and acquitted,” ruled Mr Jarabini.
In passing sentence, Mr Jarabini noted that there was a swap agreement of stands between the two.
However, Majere successfully changed ownership of the stand he got from Benza and sold it to someone else and received payment in the form of a Jeep Cherokee vehicle.
“It was not in dispute that the vehicle was taken from the accused by police pending a charge of fraud.
“There was no misrepresentation by the accused, instead, the complainant verified the authenticity of the stand from the wrong office,” said Mr Jarabini.
Allegations were that after the transaction Benza went to see the supposed stand and discovered it belonged to someone else.
He advised Majere about the latest developments and was promised another stand in the same area but it also belonged to someone else.
Online Reporter