Man in Court Over fraud in Residential Stand Deal

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A 28-year-old man, Joel Mavhudzi, has appeared in court on charges of defrauding a complainant of US$6 170 in a fake residential stand deal.

Mavhudzi, who is facing fraud charges, appeared before Magistrate Sharon Rakafa at the Harare Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody.

The prosecution, led by Takudzwa Jambawu, alleges that in May 2021, Mavhudzi and his mother, Betina Mavhudzi, misrepresented to the complainant that they could assist him in purchasing a residential stand in Harare.

The complainant reportedly paid US$4,500 to the pair, who claimed to have secured a 300-square-meter stand for him in Hatcliffe. However, they never provided any proof of ownership or documentation for the said property.

Mavhudzi later convinced the complainant to sell the Hatcliffe stand and invest in a larger property in Glendale, Mazowe, valued at US$6,000. The complainant paid an additional US$1 500 via Mukuru, followed by US$170 for well-sinking on the new stand.

In December 2023, when the complainant returned from South Africa to finalize ownership documents, Mavhudzi allegedly became evasive and failed to show the stand or its paperwork.

When the complainant returned in January 2024, the accused led him to a property in Glendale, claiming it was the purchased stand. Upon inspection, the complainant found discrepancies in the stand’s number and discovered a cottage already built and fenced on the property.

Further investigations revealed that no stand had been purchased in Hatcliffe, and the complainant had been duped. Despite promises to reimburse the money, Mavhudzi and Betina eventually blocked the complainant’s phone numbers.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Mavhudzi’s arrest.