The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Post Reporter
A BOGUS estate agent has been slapped with a four year jail term for defrauding a Mutare couple $5 685 following a botched stand deal.
Stewart Mubare (38) lied to the complainants that he will secure a low-density residential stand for them in the city.
He appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe recently facing fraud charges as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 09:23.
Mr Mahwe sentenced him to four years in prison, one of which was suspended on condition of restitution.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was convicted after the State led by public prosecutor Mr Cuthbert Bosha presented overwhelming evidence that warranted a conviction.
The court heard that in August 2016 the complainant Godfrey Mugabe together with his wife Hatikanganwi Mugabe approached Shadreck Marange, an employee of the Zimbabwe Housing Company, with the intention of buying a residential stand in the low density area.
“Marange introduced the complainant to Mubare whom he said was selling some residential stands in Fairbridge Park and the complainant agreed,” said Mr Bhosha.
On the same day Marange accompanied the complainant to Fairbridge park where they met Mubare at the site which he alleged that City of Mutare was going to sub-divide into residential stands measuring 2 000 square meters each. He said he was selling the stands on behalf of the City of Mutare.
“Mubare went on to show the complainant two other residential stands which he alleged were measuring about 1 500 square meters at a location which is near Greenside Extension towards the Beira Corridor. As an alternative, the complainant chose the location at Fairbridge Park.
“While they were in Greenside Extension, Mubare told Mugabe to pay $ 300 so that he would facilitate the short listing of complainant’s name on the City of Mutare waiting list. Acting upon this misrepresentation Mugabe paid $5 685 to Mubare,” said Mr Bhosha.
