Zim Now Writer
Brenda Dhaka's elaborate scheme to defraud unsuspecting home seekers in Chiredzi has come crashing down, resulting in a three-year jail sentence. Dhaka was convicted of forgery and fraud after fabricating offer letters for residential stands and swindling thousands of dollars from her victims.
Chiredzi Magistrate Tendai Mutamba delivered the sentence, finding Dhaka guilty on two counts of fraud and one of forgery. The case revealed a web of deceit, with Dhaka exploiting the dreams of individuals seeking land and housing.
Dhaka's fraudulent activities involved forging the signature of Chiredzi Town Council secretary, Wesley Kauma, to create convincing offer letters for non-existent residential stands. The court heard how she defrauded Cuthbert Mbanda of US$5,800 and Precious Mungoni of Triangle of US$4,000, promising them land that never existed.
The magistrate initially sentenced Dhaka to 36 months in jail for the fraud charges. However, recognizing the potential for restitution, the court suspended portions of the sentence. Five months were suspended for five years, and another seven months were suspended on the condition that Dhaka repays Mbanda US$5,800 by April 30, 2025. A further six months were suspended if she restitutes US$3,900 to Mungoni by May 2, 2025. In total, she will serve 18 months for the fraud charges.
In addition to the fraud charges, Dhaka was found guilty of forgery for replicating Kauma's signature and producing the fake offer letters. For this offense, she received a 25-month sentence, with five months suspended for good behavior, resulting in an effective 20 months.
While convicted on the fraud and forgery counts, Dhaka was acquitted of charges related to defrauding Romeo Murhaho of US$3,350 in a stand deal and Violet Chikwadze of US$4,000 in a car deal.
The court heard that in the Murhaho case, Dhaka allegedly colluded with Zivanai Moyo, who remains at large, to sell a non-existent stand for US$8,000. Murhaho paid a significant portion of the amount, but was never given the promised documentation. Dhaka and Moyo later made partial restitutions, but Murhaho reported the matter to the police after they failed to pay the full amount.
In the Chikwadze case, Dhaka was accused of misrepresenting that she was selling a Toyota RunX, receiving US$4,000 but failing to deliver the vehicle.
The investigation revealed that Dhaka employed Tadiwanashe Musundire to print the fake offer letters, which she then used to deceive her victims. The matter came to light when Mbanda attempted to get his plan approved at the Chiredzi Town Council and discovered the counterfeit offer letter.
The State was represented by Moreblessing Rusere.
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