Georgina Takavadini, Court Reporter
Two CHITUNGWIZA men who defrauded two desperate home seekers of US$5 000 in a botched residential stand deal have been arraigned before the courts charged with fraud.
Trymore Masango, 38, and Babington Chimbo, 40, pleaded not guilty when they appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa who released them on $500 bail.
The two were ordered to report twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at ZRP Anti-Corruption Unit.
They will be back in court on March 19.
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The State is alleging that two complainants Moreblessing Mubaiwa and Fungai Agere were informed that Masango and Chimbo were selling a residential stand in Chitungwiza Unit L Extension.
Mubaiwa and Agere told Masango that they wanted the stands which were measuring 300 square meters and going for US$3 000.
Masango and Chimbo pretended to be honest when they advised Mubaiwa and Agere that they were supposed to see the stands first to satisfy their eyes before buying.
They were taken to an open space in Unit L to see the said stands and soon after satisfying their eyes, they were convinced that they wanted the stands.
The four negotiated on the price and later agreed on US$2 850 per stand.
Mubaiwa and Agere were also told to pay $20 to Chitungwiza Municipality as facilitation fee which was supposed to be placed on Chitungwiza Housing Allocation waiting list as well as the Housing Database.
After that, the two complainants were taken to one woman who was introduced to them as a Town manager who was responsible for housing allocation before the complainants were made to sign several forms which were said to be lease forms.
Complainants went on to pay Masango and Chimbo US$2 850 before they entered into an agreement of sale in the presence of both accused.
Soon after, Masango and Chimbo told the complainants to start developing the stands as they had paid.
As the complainants were about to start developing their stands, they were approached by some people who said they were the real owners of the said stands as they had bought the stands from Chitungwiza Town Council.
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As a result, the complainants were defrauded US$5 000 and nothing was recovered.
– HMETRO