Martin Sandy Resources in court over a botched lan...

Martin Sandy Resources in court over a botched land deal

Michael Mashiri

A man has taken Martin Sandy Resources to court, accusing the firm of defrauding him US$15 000 which was meant for a stand.

Martin Sandy Resources, represented by Tafadzwa Kambanja the director, 36, of Avondale, appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud.

It was ordered to deposit US$150 as bail and will appear in court on April 29.

The complainant in this matter is Caleb Chihlangu.

The State, through prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, alleges that on March 2021, Chihlangu saw an advertisement in the Sunday Mail newspaper which advertised residential stands in Warren Park.

Chihlangu became interested and contacted M.S.

M.S told Chihlangu that they had two stands in Warren Park D and Chihlangu chose one stand measuring 350 square metres costing US$7 800.

On March 31, Chihlangu went to M.S’s offices and paid a deposit of US$2 500.

He then had an agreement of sale, which was done by Michael Kawanzaruwa, who is still at large, in M.S’s offices.

It is alleged that after going through the agreement of sale, M.S and Kawanzaruwa signed the agreement of sale, witnessed by two others who were present at the office.

M.S then gave Chihlangu an offer letter and an agreement of sale with City of Harare and told Chihlangu that everything was above board.

However, Chihlangu realised that the offer letter was stamped March 30, 2020 and that made him suspicious.

The State alleges that on various dates, Chihlangu went to M.S offices and paid different installments until he paid a total of US$8 000 for the stand.

He requested for a site plan and started building a cottage.

It is alleged that in November 2021, M.S was approached by one Veronica Chituwo who told him that the stand belong to her as a result he was supposed to stop developing it.

She highlighted that she had been allocated by Warren Park D Collective Housing Co-operative.

Chihlangu then approached M.S and told them that about the developments and they promised to resolve the matter but never did.

As a result, Chihlangu was prejudiced US$15 000.