Jacqueline Sande in court over allegations of swindling InterAfrica director Mukumba of US$87k in property deal

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A prominent lawyer is facing allegations of betraying a client’s trust by misappropriating over US$87 000 intended for a property purchase.

Jaqueline Sande, 44, of Glenlone, appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts on charges of theft of trust property involving US$87,210. 

She is expected back in court on August 25.

The complainant, Leonard Mukumba, director of Inter Africa Private Limited, told the court he paid Sande a total of US$87,210 for the purchase and transfer of a residential stand in Waterfalls, Harare.

Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi said that on January 23, Mukumba paid US$85,000 as the purchase price for Stand Number 595, Midlands Township, along with US$2,210 in transfer fees. 

The payments were made to Sande, who was representing the seller, Maria Gareth Sithole.

Despite receiving full payment, Sande allegedly failed to facilitate the transfer of the property to Mukumba. Repeated efforts by Mukumba and his legal team to secure a refund were unsuccessful, with Sande reportedly becoming evasive.

It is further alleged that she converted the funds to her personal use, resulting in a total prejudice of US$87,210 to Mukumba.