Bogus lawyer nabbed

A HARARE man allegedly posed as a lawyer and swindled two unsuspecting people over US$50 000 in a property deal. Edmore Govere (32) was arrested last week and appeared in court on Friday facing fraud and theft charges.

Govere, who operates an unregistered law firm, Govere and Associates, is also facing another charge of contravening the Legal Practitioners Act.

He was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma and was remanded out of custody to May 14 on US$200 bail.

Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe alleges that sometime in 2009 Ngoni Dengu acquired a residential stand from Douglus Grayham estate agents at a value of US$12 000.

Dengu, the State says, later learnt the stand was not ready for construction and approached Govere's law firm for assistance to recover his money from the estate agent.

It is alleged Govere told Dengu that he had the capacity to legally represent him to recover his money by way of summons.

The State further alleged that Govere, knowing that he was not a legal practitioner, unlawfully recovered Dengu's money from the estate agent and gave him part of it and converted US$5 100 to his personal use.

On the other charge, Govere is alleged to have connived with Christopher Hamermill Harold, who is still at large.

It is alleged that sometime last year Harold placed an advert in local newspapers to the effect that he was selling a flat in Mabelreign.

The complainant, Acquinnatta Mutsatsa, became interested and contacted Harold, who then took her to the flat for viewing.

Mutsatsa later approached Govere for legal assistance to verify the authenticity of the power of attorney which was used by Harold and drafting of the agreement of sale.

Govere and Harold later met for verification of the papers, it is alleged.

The State further alleges the duo, acting in connivance, made Mutsatsa to believe that everything was above board. Mutsatsa was ordered to deposit US$47 300 into Govere's "trust account" and the money included purchase price of US$45 000 and US$2 300 for legal fees, it is alleged.

The complainant kept on pressurising the two who then cancelled the agreement of sale and gave her back US$17 000 only. She then made a police report leading to Govere's arrest.

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