Sundaymail Editor
Nyore Madzianike
A 36-year-old woman was yesterday jailed for an effective 38 months after she was convicted of forging Chiredzi Town Council secretary’s signature to manufacture offer letters, which she then used to defraud several unsuspecting home seekers.
Brenda Dhaka, of No.4341 Shineplus Road, Chiredzi, was handed the jail term after she was convicted of two counts of fraud and another of forgery by Chiredzi magistrate Ms Tendai Mutamba.
She was initially charged with four counts of fraud and another count of forgery.
Magistrate Mutamba slapped Dhaka with 36 months behind bars for defrauding Cuthbert Mbanda of Chiredzi US$5 800 and Precious Mungoni, of Triangle, US$4 000 after selling them non-existent residential stands using forged offer letters.
Five months of her jail term were set aside for five years on condition that she does not commit any offence involving an act of dishonesty for which upon conviction she is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Another seven months were suspended on condition that Dhaka restitute Cuthbert Mbanda US$5 800usd through the Clerk of Court Chiredzi on or before April 30, 2025.
Magistrate Mutamba also set aside a further six months on condition that she restitute Precious Mungoni US$3 900 before May 2, 2025.
Dhaka will serve 18 months in jail for defrauding Mbanda and Mungoni.
She was also further jailed for 25 months behind bars for forging Chiredzi Town Council Mr Wesley Kauma’s signature and manufacture offer letters, which she would then use to defraud people.
The court suspended five months of the jail term for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit any offence involving an act of forgery.
She will then serve the remaining 20 months behind bars.
Dhaka will then serve a total of 38 months behind bars.
The court, however, acquitted Dhaka of conning Romeo Murhaho of US$3350 in a stand deal and Violet Chikwadze of US$4 000 in a car deal.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter