Realtor generates fake deed of transfer to defraud...

Realtor generates fake deed of transfer to defraud pensioner

Michael Mashiri

Tawanda Denford Bondamakara, 40, of Arcadia appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with two counts of fraud over defrauding a pensioner and another complainant through fake land sales.

He was granted US$500 bail and ordered to return to court on September 30, 2024.

In the first charge, the complainant is Catherine Masaka, a pensioner.

The State, through prosecutor Thomas Chanakira, alleges that sometime towards the end of 2021, Masaka who was looking for properties to buy was introduced to Bondamakara by her brother Gerald Chekenya.

Bondamakara then allegedly misrepresented to Masaka that he owns several residential and commercial stands in Borrowdale and Highlands up for sale.

Masaka then visited several properties in Borrowdale and Highlands with him together with her brother and eventually chose three properties that is land covering 2500 square meters, 2300 square meters and 2200 square meters adjacent to each other in Highlands, valued at US$74 000 as a whole.

The court heard that he further misrepresented to Masaka that the stands were in demand and could be sold anytime hence she was compelled to pay US$4 000 in cash to Bondamakara as commitment fee.

The court was informed that on March 16, 2022, Masaka paid US$100 000 for the three properties through bank transfer from her United Nations Federal Credit Union Checking Account to Bondamakara's cousin account name Wibes Mbiya.

Bondamakara acknowledged receiving the money through a WhatsApp message.

The court was informed that after receiving the US$100 000 he made a refund in cash of US$26 000 citing that there was need to finish up the Highlands project first before embarking on other areas.

Upon the full payment, the complainant made some follow ups with Bondamakara in terms of progress made in processing the title deeds and other paperwork for the aforementioned properties but he would give unreasonable reasons.

To cover up his fraudulent act, he availed a fake Deed of Transfer claiming to be for one of the residential stands on November 7, 2023 to Masaka.

After noticing this inconsistency, she reported the matter to Highlands Police on November 10, 2023.

The investigations led to the arrest of Bondamakara on July 20, 2024.

Due to his deceitful act, Masaka lost US$78 000 and nothing has been recovered.

The complainant on another charge is Patricia Imbeah Kissi.

Bondamakara who was working with one Mhizha who is still at large, allegedly lied to Kissi that they had five hectares of land in Kamfinsa, Harare for sale and she paid US$112 350 through Success Micro Finance bank account.

The State heard that Kissi then made several follow ups for the piece of land but Bondamakara became evasive and the complainant was later advised that the alleged piece of land was bought by some Chinese nationals.