Man pays US$198k for Borrowdale properties with fa...

Man pays US$198k for Borrowdale properties with fake deeds

Michael Mashiri

Two bogus estate agents have been arraigned before the courts after they sold two non-existent stands, leading to the complainant losing over US$198 000.

Michael Makata, 47, of New Msasa Park and Wonder Sande, 67, of Chitungwiza, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with fraud.

They were granted US$500 bail each.

The complainant in this matter is Mupuri Amos, of Belvedere, Harare.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that from January 2023, to April 2023, Makata approached Sande and told him that he had a residential stand at number 570 Pomona, Borrowdale in Harare and could give him and have the stand registered in his name.

Sande agreed with the idea and Makata went on to facilitate deed of transfer in Sande's name which they produced to Mupuri.

As a result, Mupuri paid US$95 000 in instalments towards the purchase of the stand.

Both accused would visit Mupuri to collect money on several occasions.

As a way of covering up their fraudulent act, the two accused persuaded Mupuri to use their own legal practitioner - who is still at large - for conveyance purposes upon paying US$5 600 after which they were issued with a deed of transfer.

The offence came to light when Mupuri realised that someone was claiming ownership to one of the residential stands sold to him by the accused, prompting him to verify the authenticity of deed of transfer.

The deed of transfer turned out to be fake.

On January 21, 2024, Mupuri came across one of the accused persons and alerted police, leading to his arrest, which eventually lead to the arrest of the other accused.

As a result, Mupuri lost US$100 600 and nothing was recovered.

The State also alleges that from June 2023, to November 2023, Makata and Sande using the same modus operandi, agreed to have residential stand located at number 571 Pomona, Borrowdale, in Harare registered in one of the name of one of the accomplices, who is still at large.

Both the accused went on to facilitate a deed of transfer in the name of their accomplice, who is still at large.

In the second case, Mupuri lost US$98 000 and nothing was recovered.

Two will appear in court on February 27, for their routine remand.