News / Local
Fraudster jailed for selling house to two people
30 Apr 2013 at 01:04hrs | Views
A FRAUDSTER, James Ranganai Mangachena (49), of Mhondoro- Ngezi who sold a house to two people has been sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Mangachena sold his Nketa 9 house to Ms Ellen Mbavhah, of Number 1 Sudan Street, Upper Rangemore on the outskirts of Bulawayo in July last year but went on to sell it to another home seeker.
The State's case was that on 7 July last year Ms Mbavhah approached Mangachena after getting information that he was selling House Number 4913 Nketa 9 for $28 000.
She paid $7 000 on the day towards the purchase of the house and later paid $10 000 and $7 000 on 14 July and 11 August.
On 13 October, Mangachena sold the same house to Mr Sambulo Gombedza of 5141 Magwegwe North.
When Ms Mbavhah got wind that the house had been sold to another person she demanded her money back and Mangachena promised to repay her in November last year.
He failed to pay the money as he kept making excuses and Ms Mbavhah reported the matter to the police leading to Mangachena's arrest.
Mangachena was convicted on his own plea of guilty to fraud.
He was lucky to escape the agony of jail life when Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere suspended the sentence.
Twelve months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
A further 24 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant $24 000 being the money she paid towards the purchase of the house.
The money is to be paid before the end of the year.
The remaining 24 months were suspended on condition that Mangachena completes 205 hours of community service at Zimbabwe Republic Police at Mubaira growth point in Mhondoro.
Mr Jeremiah Mutsindikwa appeared for the State.
Mangachena sold his Nketa 9 house to Ms Ellen Mbavhah, of Number 1 Sudan Street, Upper Rangemore on the outskirts of Bulawayo in July last year but went on to sell it to another home seeker.
The State's case was that on 7 July last year Ms Mbavhah approached Mangachena after getting information that he was selling House Number 4913 Nketa 9 for $28 000.
She paid $7 000 on the day towards the purchase of the house and later paid $10 000 and $7 000 on 14 July and 11 August.
On 13 October, Mangachena sold the same house to Mr Sambulo Gombedza of 5141 Magwegwe North.
When Ms Mbavhah got wind that the house had been sold to another person she demanded her money back and Mangachena promised to repay her in November last year.
He failed to pay the money as he kept making excuses and Ms Mbavhah reported the matter to the police leading to Mangachena's arrest.
He was lucky to escape the agony of jail life when Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere suspended the sentence.
Twelve months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
A further 24 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant $24 000 being the money she paid towards the purchase of the house.
The money is to be paid before the end of the year.
The remaining 24 months were suspended on condition that Mangachena completes 205 hours of community service at Zimbabwe Republic Police at Mubaira growth point in Mhondoro.
Mr Jeremiah Mutsindikwa appeared for the State.
Source - thechronicle
