Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A SUSPECTED land baron from Kambuzuma, Harare, has appeared in court facing allegations of defrauding a home seeker of US$4 840, which was part payment for a residential stand in Donnybrook, Mabvuku.
Mpilo Mathuthu (30) appeared before Harare Provincial Magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, who adjourned the hearing to tomorrow for a ruling on his bail application.
According to the State, in June last year, Mathuthu advertised residential stands for sale in Donnybrook through a Facebook post. He listed his business address as Office Number 3, 4th Floor, Galaxy Mall, located at the corner of Jason Moyo Avenue and First Street Mall in central Harare.
Innocent Nderere, responded to the advert and visited the listed office, where he met Mathuthu and a woman identified as Charmine Revon Ndlovu, believed to be his wife. Ndlovu is currently on the run.
Mathuthu reportedly assured Nderere that the stands were genuine and available for purchase at US$11 000.
Interested, Nderere proceeded to enter into an irrevocable offer and acceptance agreement on June 29 last year for Stand 15627 in Donnybrook.
As part of the agreement, Nderere was to pay a US$2 000 deposit, with the balance of US$9 000 to be paid in monthly instalments of US$375. Between July last year and February this year, Nderere made several payments totalling US$4 840, all of which were acknowledged with receipts.
However, when Nderere later sought assistance from Mathuthu to take occupation of the stand in March this year, he allegedly became evasive.
Upon returning to the office, Nderere discovered that Mathuthu had vacated the premises and could no longer be located. So he went to the police.
The State alleges that Mathuthu misrepresented his authority and capacity to sell the stand, resulting in financial prejudice to Nderere. To date, no funds have been recovered.
The prosecution intends to present as evidence the irrevocable offer and acceptance agreement, a memorandum of agreement of sale and payment receipts.
