Hayes Construction Faces Court Over US$39k Fraud

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Hayes Construction Private Limited, represented by Witness Zamanga, has been arraigned before the Harare Magistrates' Courts on fraud charges.

Zamanga, 40, appeared alongside the company, and the case has been set for February 2, 2025.

Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi alleges that in November 2018, the High Court of Zimbabwe appointed RM Africa Property Consultants, trading as Rawson Properties, and Hayes Construction Private Limited to jointly develop Lot 12 in Tynwald Township, Harare. In return, the developers were to receive residential stands as compensation.

By court order HC5182/15, the developers completed the project, resulting in the allocation of 228 residential stands. The agreement required joint disposal of the stands, with representatives from both companies signing off on each transaction.

In June 2020, stand number 17940 was sold to Elvis Jieman for US$29 340, with all parties signing a memorandum of agreement. However, in June 2024, the complainant, while searching for a residential stand in Ashdown Park, was referred to Hayes Construction.

According to the State, Praise Madzingira, an employee of Hayes Construction, informed the complainant of available stands and referred him to Zamanga. Despite knowing that stand 17940 had already been sold to Jieman, Zamanga allegedly misrepresented the stand as vacant and up for sale.

The complainant reportedly agreed to purchase the stand for US$39,800 and paid Zamanga on June 17, 2024, receiving a receipt in Zamanga’s name. The complainant requested a formal agreement of sale, which was later provided with a backdated date to match the payment.

The alleged fraud came to light when Jieman approached the complainant, asserting ownership of the property, despite the complainant having almost completed building a house on the stand.

Attempts to resolve the matter with Hayes Construction were unsuccessful, prompting the complainant to report the case to the police.

The complainant claims to have lost US$39 800 in the fraudulent transaction. The court case continues.