Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A REALTOR, who has appeared in court multiple times over fraud allegations, is back in the dock facing fresh charges of defrauding three clients of US$109 400 and laundering the proceeds.
The funds were allegedly used to build rural houses, which he later sold in an attempt to conceal the source of the money.
Peter Rupiya (68), of Bwanya Village under Chief Chapasuka, is facing charges of money laundering and was remanded in custody until January 21, pending a bail ruling.
He appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa. He is already in custody for two separate fraud cases from last year.
The complainant is the State represented by Detective Constable Chinyoka.
Prosecutor Mr Oscar Madhume alleges that between August 6, 2022, and July 22, 2024, Rupiya misrepresented himself to desperate home seekers, claiming that he owned land at Bromley Farm in Goromonzi.
In reality, Rupiya had no ownership of the said land. During this period, Rupiya allegedly collected US$109 400 from three victims: Stanford Chabaya, Kudzai Macqurors Chimuka, and Brian Chisvo, as payment for the non-existent land.
He then used the funds to construct three rural houses in Gazimbi Village and Mahaja Village under Chief Chikwaka in Goromonzi.
The court heard that Rupiya later sold two of the houses to Bryne Kamchilala of Nyakudya Village, Goromonzi, for US$22 000, with each house priced at US$11 000.
He also sold the third house to Joshua Munemo for US$27 000, thereby disguising and converting the illicit proceeds to appear legitimate.
Detectives investigating Rupiya’s activities received a tip-off on January 13, 2026, while he was already remanded at Harare Remand Prison on other fraud charges.
Acting on the information, the detectives arrested him for money laundering.
