Suspect in fake stand scam remanded in custody: Bu...

Suspect in fake stand scam remanded in custody: Buyer loses thousands

Zim Now Writer

A Harare businesman, Michael Kawanzaruwa, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday facing charges of fraud. He is accused of selling a non-existent residential stand to Caleb Chihlangu, causing him financial loss.

The alleged scam began in March 2021 when Kawanzaruwa, alongside Martin Kambanja (already remanded), advertised the sale of residential stands in Warren Park through the Sunday Mail newspaper. Chihlangu, interested in purchasing a stand, contacted Kawanzaruwa and arranged a meeting.

During the meeting at Kawanzaruwa’s Gunhill office, he offered Chihlangu a stand in Warren Park D, measuring 350 square metres, for US$7 800. Chihlangu expressed interest and paid a US$2 500 deposit on March 31, 2021.

Kawanzaruwa allegedly presented himself as the owner of the stand and drafted an Agreement of Sale, further convincing Chihlangu. He also provided an offer letter and an Agreement of Sale supposedly from the City of Harare, assuring Chihlangu of the deal’s legitimacy.

However, a red flag arose when Chihlangu noticed the offer letter had a backdated stamp – March 30, 2020. This sparked suspicion, but Chihlangu proceeded to pay the remaining US$5 500 for the stand and even began construction on a cottage.

In November 2021, Chihlangu’s world turned upside down. A woman named Veronica Chituwo approached him, claiming ownership of the stand. She revealed it had been allocated to her by the Warren Park D Collective Housing cooperative. Distraught, Chihlangu confronted Kawanzaruwa, who allegedly promised to resolve the issue but failed to take any action.

Chihlangu is now left financially burdened, having lost the money invested in the stand and the construction costs. Kawanzaruwa was remanded out of custody until April 27, awaiting trial.