Harare man in court over residential stand scam

Michael Mashiri

A man, who allegedly defrauded a complainant US$14 000 in a stand deal, has been given bail.

Herbert Dzinotyiwei, 42, of Norton, appeared at Harare Magistrates' Courts accused of fraud.

The State, through prosecutor Thomas Chanakira, alleges that sometime in September 2023, the complainant was looking for a residential stand to buy in Harare.

He approached Dzinotyiwei, who allegedly lied that he was selling a stand, number H32 Arlington Estate at US$47 000.

The complainant saw the stand and was interested.

On October 13, Dzinotyiwei was given part payment of US$14 000 and they agreed he would settle the transaction and do the conveyancing at the land developer, Cardinal Properties’ Lawyers, Manokore and Partners’ office on October 16.

On October 16, Dzinotyiwei produced an extract of a board meeting of Financial Focus Group Private Limited authorising himself to sell the stand signed by himself alone and the conveyances, Manokore and Partners requested for a board resolution which is signed by at least two directors.

Dzinotyiwei never delivered the required resolution but kept empty promises to do so making the complainant to file a police report.

Dzinotyiwei was subsequently arrested. As a result, US$14 000 was defrauded and US$7 000 was recovered.

Dzinotyiwei was ordered to deposit US$300 as bail. He will appear in court on November 28.