News / National
Real estate agent arrested for US$16k fraud
12 Dec 2023 at 01:04hrs | Views
A real estate agent appeared before Harare magistrate Ethel Chichera facing fraud charges amounting to US$16 670.
Godwin Khulame (29) was remanded in custody to December 14 for bail ruling.
The complainants in the matter are Clementine Chengetal Nehumba (34), Maybe Masaiti (60), Fatima Ururu (39) and Clive Masawi (33).
Appearing for the State, prosecutor Tinotenda Masimba said sometime in August 2022 Khulume devised a plan to defraud through misrepresentation that he owned multiple residential stands.
Masimba alleged that he placed advertisements on Facebook and WhatsApp groups selling serviced residential stands in Nyabira measuring 300 square metres.
The complainants saw the advertisements and contacted Khulume who then directed them to his office.
The court heard that Khulume allegedly took the potential buyers to Nyabira where he showed them some serviced residential stands and misrepresented that the stands were available for sale at US$10 200 each, payable after US$1000 deposit.
The complainants were interested in the stands and paid a total of US$16 670 to Khulume who issued them receipts.
Masimba further alleged that Khulume became evasive and closed his work offices, with the complainants later discovering that the land, which was being sold by Khulume, belonged to Devine Aid Trust Company (DATCO).
The complainants visited DATCO where they confirmed that the company owned the stands and denied ever knowing Khulume and his transactions.
Following this incident the complainants filed police reports leading to the apprehension of Khulume.
Godwin Khulame (29) was remanded in custody to December 14 for bail ruling.
The complainants in the matter are Clementine Chengetal Nehumba (34), Maybe Masaiti (60), Fatima Ururu (39) and Clive Masawi (33).
Appearing for the State, prosecutor Tinotenda Masimba said sometime in August 2022 Khulume devised a plan to defraud through misrepresentation that he owned multiple residential stands.
Masimba alleged that he placed advertisements on Facebook and WhatsApp groups selling serviced residential stands in Nyabira measuring 300 square metres.
The complainants saw the advertisements and contacted Khulume who then directed them to his office.
The court heard that Khulume allegedly took the potential buyers to Nyabira where he showed them some serviced residential stands and misrepresented that the stands were available for sale at US$10 200 each, payable after US$1000 deposit.
The complainants were interested in the stands and paid a total of US$16 670 to Khulume who issued them receipts.
Masimba further alleged that Khulume became evasive and closed his work offices, with the complainants later discovering that the land, which was being sold by Khulume, belonged to Devine Aid Trust Company (DATCO).
The complainants visited DATCO where they confirmed that the company owned the stands and denied ever knowing Khulume and his transactions.
Following this incident the complainants filed police reports leading to the apprehension of Khulume.
Source - newsday
