News / National
MDC-T official convicted for selling diasporians' house
20 Feb 2014 at 22:43hrs | Views
Former MDC-T Buhera South legislator Tangwara Matimba has been convicted of theft of trust property after he sold a house on behalf of a couple living in the United States and pocketed US$95 000.
Matimba (46), who owns Property Hopes Real Estate, was convicted by regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya after a fully contested trial.
Matimba was remanded to today for his sentence.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza applied that Matimba be remanded in custody, but Mr Mujaya said he was inclined to grant him bail pending the sentence and was advised to pay US$10 000, failing which he would be held in custody.
Mr Reza made the application on the basis of changed circumstances.
Matimba sold the house to Brian Mafirambudzi for US$95 000 and converted the money to his personal use.
In passing the judgement, Mr Mujaya said: "The issues that the court had to decide on were whether or not the money was paid and if so, what became of it.
"The court also considered the behaviour and the manner at which he handled the money. The accused also gave a confusing defence. He said he only received US$70 000, but the receipts produced in court added up to US$95 000.
"He was asked to add the receipts himself and he admitted that indeed they added up to US$95 000."
In aggravation, Mr Reza urged the court to sentence Matimba to 10 years.
"His moral blameworthiness is high considering that he is a former member of Parliament," he said. He has brought disrepute to the profession of estate agents. As a businessman, it is clear that he stole out of greed not need."
In mitigation, Matimba through his lawyer pleaded for a wholly suspended sentence.
The court heard that Matimba was ordered by Liberty Madzingira and his wife who are based in the US to sell the house on their behalf through his company.
Matimba sold the house to Brian Mafirambudzi for US$95 000 and converted the money to his personal use.
Matimba (46), who owns Property Hopes Real Estate, was convicted by regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya after a fully contested trial.
Matimba was remanded to today for his sentence.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza applied that Matimba be remanded in custody, but Mr Mujaya said he was inclined to grant him bail pending the sentence and was advised to pay US$10 000, failing which he would be held in custody.
Mr Reza made the application on the basis of changed circumstances.
Matimba sold the house to Brian Mafirambudzi for US$95 000 and converted the money to his personal use.
In passing the judgement, Mr Mujaya said: "The issues that the court had to decide on were whether or not the money was paid and if so, what became of it.
"He was asked to add the receipts himself and he admitted that indeed they added up to US$95 000."
In aggravation, Mr Reza urged the court to sentence Matimba to 10 years.
"His moral blameworthiness is high considering that he is a former member of Parliament," he said. He has brought disrepute to the profession of estate agents. As a businessman, it is clear that he stole out of greed not need."
In mitigation, Matimba through his lawyer pleaded for a wholly suspended sentence.
The court heard that Matimba was ordered by Liberty Madzingira and his wife who are based in the US to sell the house on their behalf through his company.
Matimba sold the house to Brian Mafirambudzi for US$95 000 and converted the money to his personal use.
Source - Herald
