News / National
Bulawayo pair jailed for selling same stand twice
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Two Bulawayo residents, Henessy Dube (46) and Flora Moyo (45), have been jailed for fraud after they were found guilty of duping a homebuyer by selling a residential stand in Highmount to two different parties in a scam that cost one victim US$13,500.
The duo was sentenced this week by the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates' Court after being convicted of misrepresentation and forging property sale documents. The court heard that the stand in question had already been sold legally in 2022 for US$17,000 to another couple when Dube and Moyo falsely marketed it as still available.
Using counterfeit paperwork and fabricated ownership claims, they lured a second buyer into purchasing the already-sold property. A fraudulent agreement of sale was drawn up and fake receipts were issued to make the transaction appear legitimate.
The deception came to light when the second buyer attempted to take possession of the property, only to discover that it belonged to someone else. The buyer then filed a police report, leading to the pair's arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Upon conviction, Dube was handed a seven-year prison term, with one year suspended for good behaviour and an additional two years suspended on the condition that he pays restitution. He will serve an effective four years behind bars.
Moyo received a similar sentence but will serve three years, with four years suspended for good behaviour.
The case highlights the growing number of fraudulent land sales in urban areas and has prompted renewed calls for tighter regulation and verification systems in property transactions.
The duo was sentenced this week by the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates' Court after being convicted of misrepresentation and forging property sale documents. The court heard that the stand in question had already been sold legally in 2022 for US$17,000 to another couple when Dube and Moyo falsely marketed it as still available.
Using counterfeit paperwork and fabricated ownership claims, they lured a second buyer into purchasing the already-sold property. A fraudulent agreement of sale was drawn up and fake receipts were issued to make the transaction appear legitimate.
Upon conviction, Dube was handed a seven-year prison term, with one year suspended for good behaviour and an additional two years suspended on the condition that he pays restitution. He will serve an effective four years behind bars.
Moyo received a similar sentence but will serve three years, with four years suspended for good behaviour.
The case highlights the growing number of fraudulent land sales in urban areas and has prompted renewed calls for tighter regulation and verification systems in property transactions.
Source - The Chronicle
