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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Two suspected fraudsters have appeared in court for allegedly defrauding a home seeker of US$5 200 in a botched stand deal.
Tawanda Jambwa and Charity Masondo appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms Appolonia Marutya charged with fraud.
The pair, who are being represented by their lawyer Mr Tawanda Machinga, were granted US$100 bail each and will return to court on January 7, 2025.
The complainant is Ms Ruvimboramwari Mukuze.
Prosecuting Mr Rufaro Chonzi alleged that on July 20, 2024, Ms Mukuze decided to purchase a residential stand.
She was referred to Jambwa by his friend. Jambwa indicated that Masondo had a stand that she was selling in Masasa Park, Harare.
Jambwa took Ms Mukuze to Masondo who indicated that she was the owner of stand number 4747 of the remainder of stand 560 Chadcombe Township measuring 501 square meters which she was selling for US$ 10 000.
Ms Mukuze requested to view the stand and the duo took her to view it. They told Ms Mukuze that the stand had no pending issues and upon viewing the stand, Ms Mukuze expressed satisfaction with the stand and they agreed that she would occupy the stand upon payment of a deposit of at least US$4 500.
The court heard that on July 19, Mukuze paid a deposit of US$4 500 to the accused persons.
An agreement of sale was signed between Mukuze and Masondo while Jambwa signed as a witness.
Masondo signed an acknowledgment of receipt for the money and on August 30, Ms Mukuze made another payment of US$700 to the accused persons.
Masondo also signed an acknowledgment of receipt for the money. When Ms Mukuze wanted to occupy the stand, she discovered that it belonged to another person.
When she contacted the accused persons they started ignoring her calls and became elusive.
On November 21, 2024, Ms Mukunze made a report to the police who arrested the two accused persons.
The total value prejudiced was US$5 200 and nothing was recovered.
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