Man up for fraudulently selling US$35k property

Michael Mashiri

A Harare man, who is accused of fraudulently selling a property worth US$35 000, has been taken to court.

Prosper Tapiwa Chiyanike, of Mount Pleasant Heights, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud.

The State, through prosecutor Thomas Chanakira, alleges that in November 2023, Chiyanike sold a stand at number 646 Derbyshire, Waterfalls to the complainant, Ronnie Ndlovu.

He was ordered to appear court on April 19.

It is alleged that the house was sold by Chiyanike through one Kimberly Tatenda Kahondo, employed by Fine and Country Zimbabwe as an agent for buying and selling properties at US$35 000, claiming ownership of the stand.

The complainant became interested in the property and on November 20, 2023, allegedly went to Chiyanike’s company and paid US$10 000 and was given a receipt.

On January 3, 2024, the complainant allegedly went to Chiyanike’s house and paid US$10 000 as second payment for the stand and was given another receipt after some days.

In the same month, it is alleged that another accused in this matter was given US$18 250 out of a US$20 300 which was paid by the complainant.

During the process of acquiring the property, the complainant went to his lawyers for facilitating the conveyance and they told him that Chiyanike had fraudulently sold the property.

This was unearthed when the lawyers enquired with the City of Harare and they discovered that the property was on a lease agreement with the City of Harare.