Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Herald Reporter
A VILLAGE head from Sam Levy Farm and his chairman were dragged to court after they allegedly duped a resident of US$1 450, promising him two hectares of farming land.
The victim, Tawanda Analia from Eastview, filed the application in the Small Claims Court before Magistrate Ms Johanna Mukwesha.
Analia described how he entrusted his money to Maxwell Runganga, the village head, and David Nyadzo, the chairman, in 2022.
He was assured that he would receive the land by 2024. However, when the time came, the pair told him to wait another year and started pestering him for more money.
“I gave them my money asking for two hectares of land for farming and they told me to wait until 2024,” Analia said.
Despite his requests for a refund, Runganga and Nyadzo refused, claiming that reporting the matter would lead to no action. Analia said both men demanded additional payments to show him the land he had already paid for.
Analia expressed fear of confrontations with the village head and chairman, prompting him to seek legal recourse.
He pleaded with the court to order a refund so he could buy land elsewhere.
“I took a loan from the bank thinking that I would end up with my two hectares of land, but they deceived me,” he stated.
He added that Runganga had offered to refund only US$300, insisting that no one could compel him to pay the full amount.
In court, Runganga denied collecting US$1,450, claiming that Analia had only given him US$300.
He asserted that he was willing to resolve the issue but felt Analia was causing trouble.
“I do not know what happened to his money. I told him that I would fix the matter and give him his portion but he is not listening,” Runganga said.
Nyadzo also refuted the allegations, claiming he had no involvement in the transaction.
“Analia is only trying to include me in this case yet I am innocent,” he argued. “I know nothing about land allocation.”
After reviewing the testimonies, the court sided with Analia, ordering Runganga and Nyadzo to refund the US$1 450 due to the evidence of payment he provided.
The court found their actions to be a clear abuse of power, leaving Analia financially strained and seeking justice.
