Biziweki jailed in Mutumbuka house fraud

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

A web of deceit, spun around the fraudulent sale of former Cabinet minister Dzingai Mutumbuka's Harare home, has resulted in a three-year prison sentence for Prosper Biziweki (48). Harare Magistrate Ethel Chichera delivered the verdict, convicting Biziweki of forging the title deed that enabled the illicit transaction back in June 2021.

Chichera, while sentencing Biziweki to three years, suspended one year on conditions of good behavior, meaning he will serve an effective two-year jail term. However, the magistrate acquitted Tatenda Wakatama, concluding that his involvement was limited to merely advertising the property for sale.

The courtroom drama took a sharp turn when Magistrate Chichera delivered a scathing critique of the police investigation. She lambasted the authorities for their glaring omissions, particularly the exclusion of several key suspects who, in her view, should have been brought to justice.

"This forgery and illegal sale of the house was done by a syndicate," Chichera declared, her voice echoing with frustration, "and most of its members were turned into State witnesses by the police."

Central to her criticism was the role of Lynna Mlambo, an employee at the Deeds Office, who, according to the magistrate, stole Mutumbuka's original title deed. Despite this crucial involvement, Mlambo was presented as a State witness by investigating officer Tafadzwa Marashe.

Furthermore, the police were unable to account for Jonah Ngome, the individual in whose name the forged title deed was created and who ultimately sold Mutumbuka's house.

The state's case detailed a complex scheme involving Wakatama, Biziweki, and Ngome. They allegedly stole the original title deed for house number 90 Harare Drive in Chisipite, Harare, and fabricated a counterfeit version in Ngome's name. They then used this forged document to advertise the property on social media.

Harrison Marange, the unsuspecting buyer, was introduced to the property by Kenias Mutyisira. An agreement was reached for US$140,000, with a US$90,000 deposit and the remaining US$50,000 due upon registration and transfer. Marange paid Ngome US$45,000 in September 2021, with the balance scheduled for October.

However, the fraudulent transaction was intercepted by police after Mangwere from the Registrar Office confirmed the title deed in Ngome’s name was fake.